Twenty-two rural and remote road upgrade projects are being funded under the Queensland Government’s new Country Roads Connect Program, creating safer journeys and keeping regional communities connected.
The program will help secure critical road links by upgrading unsealed roads, benefiting communities and businesses across regional towns.
Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, said that Country Roads Connect was part of the Safer Roads, Better Transport Plan.
“From Rockhampton to Richmond, the Maranoa to the Whitsundays, and all the way to Wujal Wujal – we’re delivering the regional road upgrades that Queenslanders have been waiting for,” Crisafulli said.
“This will deliver the missing connection links and improve resilience along our beef highway and beyond, just as we promised.
“For producers this means getting stock and produce to market more easily, for Queenslanders this means food is the highest quality when they receive it.
“It also opens up the opportunities for drive tourism, increasing the safety of our regional roads.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said that the program was about keeping essential goods and services moving all year round.
“Many of the towns where the upgrades are being undertaken depend on the country roads for agricultural and freight purposes, which is their livelihood,” Mickelberg said.
“This program isn’t just about making sure towns aren’t stuck with goat tracks on a good day – it’s about ensuring they’re not completely cut off by flooded, impassable roads when things get worse. Communities shouldn’t have to choose between poor access and no access at all.
“We’re backing our rural and remote communities by giving funding to councils, which know their roads best and understand the unique needs of their regions. I look forward to seeing these projects take shape to deliver lasting benefits for regional Queensland.”
Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said that the overwhelming response from councils demonstrated the need to upgrade our unsealed road network.
“These roads are critical lifelines for regional communities, and improving them is essential for safety, connectivity, and economic development,” Last said.
“These country roads are the arteries of rural and regional Queensland. It’s the difference between kids getting to school safely, farmers having reliable access to markets and emergency services being able to get to remote parts of our state.
“We look forward to working with councils to deliver targeted investments that will make a real difference in the lives of regional Queenslanders.”
