Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the upgrade from Collinsville to Bowen would provide a safer road link to the basin and allow for greater capacity.
“Royalties for the regions is about reinvesting a share of royalties in resource regions to help build new and improved community, road and floodplain security infrastructure,” Seeney said.
“New mines proposed for the northern and central Bowen Basin, coupled with transport infrastructure construction projects in support of the Galilee Basin, will generate significant traffic flows between Collinsville and Bowen.
“As demand increases and community infrastructure for these townships grow, the need for improved road infrastructure becomes of paramount importance.”
The project will widen and rehabilitate a 7.1km stretch of road from Euri Creek to Bogie River.
“Whitsunday Regional Council will construct a sealed road of eight metres in width, comprising two 3.5-metre traffic lanes and half a metre sealed shoulders on each side which will be able to sustain the required tonnage for heavy vehicles,” Seeney said.
Member for Burdekin Rosemary Menkens said the $10 million of mining royalties would significantly benefit the rapidly growing region.
“The Bowen Developmental Road is a vital transport link within the region’s expanding mining communities, where development is being strongly supported by this LNP government,” Menkens said.
“Royalties for the regions is all about returning these mining profits back to the bush and creating more jobs and better infrastructure within our regional community heartland.”
