Reconstruction works on the Palmerston Highway have been completed, restoring the key Far North Queensland freight route to its pre-disaster function following severe damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The reconstruction works were jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Two major landslips were repaired, including one site where the road had sunk two metres and shifted sideways by two metres.
The upslope sites, including one measuring 20 metres high and 75 metres wide, were stabilised using more than 6,500 metres of soil nails, along with high tensile mesh and coir netting.
At the downslope landslip, crews installed 83 concrete piles measuring up to 19 metres deep across a 160 metre section. A capping beam was also constructed to secure the piles and retain the road embankment.
More than 1,450 cubic metres of concrete were used during the works, while damaged rainforest sections within the corridor were also rehabilitated.
Disaster recovery works remain ongoing on other Far North Queensland roads impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, including Kennedy Highway (Kuranda Range), Gillies Range Road, Mossman-Mount Molloy Road and the Captain Cook Highway.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, said the completed works would support local communities and industry.
“This news will be a relief for Far North Queenslanders still recovering from Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which caused significant damage on the Palmerston Highway,” McBain said.
“This critical supply route has now been restored to its pre-disaster function, helping Tablelands primary producers and residents move around the region safely.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith, said the repairs would improve freight efficiency for Far North Queensland producers.
“The Far North grows some of the finest produce in Australia, and with repairs to the Palmerston Highway now complete our farmers, agricultural producers and residents on the Tablelands can transport goods more efficiently,” Smith said.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, said the project marked an important milestone in the region’s recovery.
“The Palmerston Highway is a vital connection for farmers, freight operators and communities across the Atherton Tablelands,” Mickelberg said.
“This was a significant engineering effort completed within a constrained road corridor and sensitive World Heritage rainforest environment, while maintaining traffic access throughout the works.”
Member for Hinchinbrook, Wayde Chiesa, said restoring the route was critical for regional communities and industry.
“The Atherton Tablelands is the agricultural powerhouse of Far North Queensland, and the Palmerston Highway is its connection to the coast,” Chiesa said.
Member for Mulgrave, Terry James, said the restored route would support both freight and local communities.
“The Palmerston Highway is a lifeline for freight operators, truck drivers and communities on both sides of the range,” James said.
“Restoring the road to pre-disaster function is a major step forward in the region’s recovery.”
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