Mareeba Shire Among 22 Projects in $100 Million Road Upgrade Program
Mareeba Shire is among 22 regional Councils receiving a share of $100 million in road upgrades to improve safety and protect vital transport links.
Twenty-two projects will be delivered under the Crisafulli Government’s Country Roads Connect Program, enhancing the strength and connectivity of Queensland’s regional road network.
Country Roads Connect Program focuses on upgrading unsealed roads to protect vital connections, supporting communities and businesses across regional towns that the former Labor Government failed to prioritise.
Member for Cook David Kempton underscored that it was about funding local Councils to improve roads, which the former Labor government had overlooked.
“This project will see 5.2 kilometres of Ootann Road sealed and widened, including 3.2 kilometres from the approach to Soda Creek through to Four Mile Creek, and a further 2.0 kilometres from Soda Creek connecting to the section upgraded under the Australian Government’s Beef Roads Program in 2019,” Mr Kempton said.
“Ootan is a critical transport link between the northern region and the south and has been considered for year as a viable alternative to the Bruce Highway especially in times of flooding. “
Mayor Angela Toppin commented on the impact that Country Road Connect program will have on the shire.
“Mareeba Shire Council welcomes the recent announcement of funding from the Queensland Government’s Country Road Connect program to upgrade Ootann Road,” Mayor Toppin said.
“Ootann Road is a rural arterial road over 90km in length with a significant portion still unsealed which presents issues with flood resilience and traffic capacity.