A funding injection from the Queensland and Federal Governments is set to underpin critical upgrades to a vital transport corridor in Cloncurry Shire.
The project will see approximately 25 kilometres of the Mount Isa-Duchess Road sealed, providing enhanced, long-term flood resilience for residents and businesses in the region.
Works will also improve all-weather access for mining and pastoral transport, helping to protect the local economy during disaster events and monsoonal periods.
The funding is part of a record Betterment resilience investment, delivered under the $450 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program (QRRRP). The project builds on recent QRRRP announcements in North West and South West Queensland, bringing the combined value of these projects to $43.8 million.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery, Ann Leahy said recent severe weather has highlighted the value the project will provide the North West region.
“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,” Minister Leahy said.
“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.”
Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor, Greg Campbell said the funding announcement reinforces the importance of the Duchess area to the Cloncurry Shire.
“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,” Mayor Campbell said.
“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.”
