UPGRADES have begun to four key beef freight routes in Central Queensland under the federal and state governments’ Queensland Beef Roads program.
The $47.5 million early works package began with sealing a priority section of the Clermont — Alpha Road, about 89 kilometres north of Alpha near Barcaldine.
Alongside the Clermont — Alpha project, the early works are to deliver widening, sealing and floodway upgrades to sections of the Alpha–Tambo Road, Fitzroy Developmental Road and the May Downs Road.
Queensland transport minister Brent Mickelberg said the Central Queensland Beef Corridor was crucial for the freighting of cattle.
“Managing a road network of this magnitude is challenging but critically important to support the movement of about $1.7 billion in freight and agricultural produce — primarily Australian beef — each year,” Mr Mickelberg said.
"The sealing of these strategic beef corridor roads will improve the cattle supply chain in the region from our primary producers to saleyards, processing facilities and onto plates both here and overseas.”
The early works package forms part of the Central Queensland Beef Roads Investment Strategy (CQBRIS), which has been developed with seven regional councils to form the Queensland Beef Corridors (QBC) group.
The CQBRIS sets out priorities to seal nine key beef corridor roads to help strengthen supply chains, reduce costs and support economic growth.
Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the investment had been a long time coming.
"The beef industry is the backbone of Central Queensland, and sealing these critical roads will make a real difference for producers, truck drivers and communities,” he said.
“This is something I’ve worked long and hard on with the local community and industry and this investment will result in safer, more reliable transport routes, reduced costs, and stronger supply chains that keep our region competitive and connected."
The program received $400 million from the federal government and $100 million from the Queensland state government, following years of advocacy by local councils and industry.
Early works kick off a 10-year investment strategy to improve transport efficiency, safety, and resilience.
Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said Queensland’s beef cattle industry made an incredible contribution to the nation's economy.
"This first project marks a significant milestone in the upgrades of the beef road network, which is good for our nation’s freight productivity, good for Central Queenslanders, and good for our truckies who use these roads every day,” Ms King said.