Road upgrade beefs up key Qld cattle route...

Date: 09.07.2019

A crucial section of the Diamantina Development Road has been widened to give easier access for livestock freight

The widening and strengthening of 12 kilometres of the Diamantina Developmental Road between Boulia and Dajarra is now complete, the extra infrastructure aiding North Queensland’s farming sector.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack says the Diamantina Development Road (Boulia – Dajarra) Rehabilitation and Widening project was funded under the $100 million Northern Australia Beef Roads Program.

"The Federal Government’s investment in Northern Australia Beef Roads is supporting the north’s development by specifically targeting high-priority roads such as the Diamantina Developmental Road, which is essential to the movement of people and freight," McCormack says.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project would reduce travel times and vehicle maintenance costs for the freight industry by improving the road surface and limiting dust.

"This project has also increased safety by allowing for safer overtaking opportunities for the numerous passenger vehicles, caravans, cattle freight and road trains that use the road," Bailey says.

"This is about supporting locals, visitors, Queensland’s $5 billion cattle industry and the beef processing sector, which alone supports 18,000 jobs."

Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald said the project had rehabilitated and widened the existing pavement and addressed deficiencies on the road.

"Upgrading about 12 kilometres from a narrow single-lane to a six-metre-wide sealed surface has delivered improved productivity, resilience and safety on the Boulia to Dajarra section of this piece of road," Senator McDonald says.

"It’s estimated that the Diamantina Developmental Road currently carries around 2,600 cattle trailers every year and the upgrade will reduce transport costs for this important industry."

The Diamantina Developmental Road (Boulia – Dajarra) Rehabilitation and Widening project was jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $4.03 million and the Queensland Government committing $1 million.

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