Mount Isa-Duchess Road in Cloncurry Shire to receive vital upgrages

Critical upgrades to the Mount Isa-Duchess Road will be delivered as the Australian and Queensland Governments inject funds towards improvements on a vital transport corridor in Cloncurry Shire.

About 25 kilometres of the road will be sealed to provide enhanced, long-term flood resilience for residents and businesses in the region.

The upgrades will also improve all-weather access for mining and pastoral transport, helping to protect the local economy during disaster events and monsoonal periods.

“In the immediate recovery phase following any disaster, one of the first priorities after making sure people are safe is to get key transport routes operational as quickly and safely as possible.

“This project will enable freight operators and farmers to keep moving through these areas for more of the year, reducing economic disruption.

“The Albanese Government is committed to working with states and territories across the country to support projects like this to reduce risk and build resilience in disaster prone areas like Cloncurry Shire,” Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said.

The joint funding is part of a record Betterment resilience investment delivered under the $450 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program (QRRRP), which is aimed at strengthening the disaster resilience of regional Queensland.

Betterment is one of the three funding streams that form the QRRRP, in addition to Resilience and Risk Reduction as well as Hazard and Risk Priorities. This stream, since introduced in 2013, has become a pillar of the Queensland Government and it ensures more disaster damaged infrastructure is built back to a stronger standard to withstand evolving climate challenges.

“Proactive investments like this will deliver positive outcomes in the North West for many disaster seasons to come, strengthening public safety, protecting critical infrastructure and supporting the backbone industries of the region.

“By increasing the resilience of Mount Isa-Duchess Road we will greatly reduce transport interruptions for resources and agriculture businesses operating in Cloncurry Shire, Mount Isa, and the surrounding areas.

“This is another key project from the Crisafulli Government to reduce disaster impacts in regional and remote Queensland,” QLD Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said.

The Mount Isa-Duchess Road upgrade builds on recent QRRRP announcements in North West and South West Queensland. Combined, these projects are valued at $43.8 million.

The Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program is funded through efficiencies realised under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Investments through this Program will help transform rural and regional Queensland now and into the future, protectin critical community assets while improving safety and liveability in all corners of the state.

“This is a critical part of the Shire and State for agriculture and mining, and this progressive road sealing project shows that government gets it.

“In this project, three levels of government are working together to deliver outcomes for real people, real jobs and real money for the people in regional Queensland,” Mayor of Cloncurry Shire Council Greg Campbell said.

Source: Australian Government – The Hon Kristy McBain MP; Queensland Government – Queensland Reconstruction Authority; Roads & Infrastructure Australia