New resilience funding from the Federal and Queensland Governments is set to improve access reliability on the Flinders Highway in north-west Queensland.
The Betterment projects will strengthen the road surface and drainage along two critical sections between Hughenden and Richmond, and Richmond and Julia Creek. This includes notorious parts of the highway such as Chatfield Creek, where nearby communities are regularly isolated by flooding, which disrupts local connectivity and industries.
Flinders Highway is the only viable trucking supply chain route for north-west Queensland, making upgrades to the road of paramount importance for major sectors like mining and agriculture.
Flinders Shire Council Mayor, Kate Peddle said the upgrades would help deliver a more consistent, reliable standard of road for all users, and improve resilience over time.
“Following significant rain there’s a section of the highway approximately 20 kilometres west of Hughenden that can deteriorate quickly, with ongoing maintenance required due to its limited resilience under heavy freight use,” Mayor Peddle said.
“The investment into fully reconstructing this section of the highway, and improvements to drainage, will ensure it’s built stronger and more resilient to ongoing weather impacts.”
Richmond Shire Council Mayor, John Wharton said the upgrades were important not just for Richmond Shire but for the whole north-west that relies on the highway every day.
“The Flinders Highway is our main supply route and when sections go under during floods it affects everything: freight, fuel, groceries, tourism, and getting cattle in and out,” Mayor Wharton said.
“Improving these flood hot spots will help keep trucks moving, reduce isolation for communities and properties, and give people more confidence the road will stay open and recover quicker after major weather events.”
The projects are part of an $89.91 million Betterment Program under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to support recovery from the Queensland Monsoon Trough, Cyclone Koji, Cyclone Narelle and Severe Weather of 2025-26, with construction timeframes to be confirmed following detailed design works.
For more information visit: www.qra.qld.gov.au/betterment.
