$500m committed to beef roads in Central Queensland

Central Queensland is set to benefit from the development and progressive delivery of $500 million of upgrades to priority road corridors to support Queensland’s beef industry. 

Queensland is a significant global beef processor servicing domestic and global markets. 

Upgrading the beef corridor network will increase productivity across the agriculture and resource industry sectors along with improving safety. 

According to the Queensland State Government, in a typical year, almost 50 per cent of all Australian beef and veal products are processed in Queensland. 

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said, ‘Central Queensland is Australia’s heartland for beef production.’ 

Queensland’s beef corridor network stretches across nearly 218,000 square kilometres and runs from east to west across Central Queensland. 

This strategic web of roads carries world-class beef product and contributes $1.7 billion to the Australian economy. 

The Queensland Government, in partnership with Australian Government, will work with seven local government mayors and key industry stakeholders on the identification of short, medium and long-term beef road priorities to inform a 10-year Central Queensland Beef Roads Investment Strategy. 

‘The road upgrades to be proposed under a 10-year Central Queensland’s Beef Roads Investment Strategy will provide safer and more efficient transport solutions for this nationally-significant industry and increase economic opportunities for the region,’ said Mellish. 

This includes the Mayors of Barcaldine, Central Highlands, Gladstone, Isaac and Rockhampton Regional Councils and Banana and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Councils, who have been advocating for infrastructure investment to improve the roads forming part of the state’s beef supply chain. 

To kick start the initiative, an early works package is being developed with the Queensland State Government funding contribution, to prioritise projects. 

Construction is expected to commence progressively from 2024-25. 

These works are in addition to the $107 million early works package announced in November 2023 to kickstart works on the $1 billion Inland Freight Route, also known as the Second Bruce. 

‘In partnership with its federal counterparts, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will engage with relevant local governments and key industry stakeholders to develop a 10-year strategy to prioritise beef road upgrades where they are needed most,’ said Mellish. 

Central Highlands Regional Council General Manager Infrastructure & Utilities Jason Hoolihan said the state and federal governments infrastructure plan was a welcome announcement. 

‘Our beef corridor roads are vital to ensuring the beef industry and our regions can continue to grow, and generate much-needed jobs and economic activity’, said Hoolihan.  

The Australian Government has confirmed its funding contribution of $400 million as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, and the Queensland Government’s commitment of $100 million to upgrade Queensland Beef Corridors is outlined in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (2023-24 to 2026-27). 

 If you have any enquiries, please contact council on 1300 242 686.    For more information on the full delivery of this program visit https://www.qldbeefcorridors.com/