Road upgrade to benefit Western Downs farmers

27 November 2018

Primary producers around Chinchilla will benefit from major upgrades to one of the region’s main roads.

An upgrade to Auburn Road has been announced to allow heavy vehicles to access the road.

Auburn Road cuts through a large agriculture area northwest of Chinchilla but is currently too narrow in sections for heavy vehicles and road trains to use.

Current restrictions mean primary producers travel hundreds of additional kilometres to access feedlots and saleyards which negatively affects business.

The upgrade is a joint initiative between Western Downs Regional Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Council Spokesperson for Works Councillor Greg Olm said upgrading 36 kilometres of Auburn Road would be a major benefit for many primary producers in the region.

“Vehicles larger than semi-trailers are currently not permitted on Auburn Road which is costly for our agriculture sector,” he said.

“Sections of the road will be widened and other maintenance will be conducted over the coming months.

“This will improve safety on the road for motorists and the local school bus as well as also improving accessibility for primary producers to conduct their business.”

The Auburn Road upgrade will strengthen the agriculture industry in the Chinchilla region, according to Councillor Olm.

“The agriculture industry is one of the pillars of the Western Downs economy and this upgrade will help many primary producers in the region,” he said,

“Being able to easily bring heavy vehicles and machinery to your property will be more time-efficient and cost-efficient.”

The project will be funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads as well as Western Downs Regional Council’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme Allocation.

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Media Contact: Michael Doyle | Media Relations Senior Officer | 0419 048 594