Work begins on Australia’s remote Cameron Corner Road

A section of road leading to one of Australia’s most remote tourist attractions is getting a $2.74 million upgrade to improve safety and access. 

Cameron Corner straddles the border in three states, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia, and often becomes impassable during and after storm events.

Under the $691 million Fixing Local Roads Program, Transport for NSW has started work to fix a three-kilometre section of the Cameron Corner Road, located in the far north-west of NSW.

When the project is completed in late 2024, motorists including residents, freight operators, tourists, and emergency services – will experience better road surface, enhanced safety, and improved access in the area.

Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said work will include the realignment of two curves, rehabilitation of the road, drainage improvements, gravel overlay and sealing to improve safety, lessen flood impacts and improve access during wet weather.

“This project will provide a safer and more reliable connection for the local community in this corner of far west NSW,” Mr Lunn said.

“This will have positive impacts for residents, freight and livestock industry, local businesses and emergency services as well as a boost for tourism.”

Transport crews are carrying out the work as the area falls under the Unincorporated Far West Region. 

Construction is expected to take up to 12 months to complete, weather permitting.

$88.2 million Mount Morgan pipeline project to commence in Central Queensland

The Mount Morgan Water Supply Pipeline Project is a collaborative effort between the Federal and Queensland Labor Governments and the Rockhampton Regional Council. This initiative, with a budget of $88.2 million, aims to ensure long-term water security for Mount Morgan, fostering job creation and economic growth in the town.

Through this joint venture, the Albanese and Palaszczuk Labor governments, in partnership with the Rockhampton Regional Council, are working to eliminate the need for water carting and safeguard the town’s sustainability and quality of life.

This undertaking is expected to generate around 50 employment opportunities and provide significant economic advantages to local communities and businesses in Central Queensland. The Queensland Government and the Council are committed to maximizing local labor, suppliers, materials, and subcontractors.

Furthermore, this project presents an opportunity for the Council to execute crucial infrastructure enhancements that will enhance water security for the broader community. These supplementary activities include expanding and upgrading Razorback Road while laying the pipeline, as well as boosting reservoir and pumping capacity to accommodate the expected growth in Gracemere. This combined set of projects will meet the future requirements of both Mount Morgan and Gracemere. The Council is financing these supplementary activities as part of the overall project budget of $88.2 million.

The Mount Morgan Pipeline Project encompasses the following key components:

  1. The construction of a 28km potable water pipeline from the Gracemere Pump Station to Mount Morgan.
  2. An upgrade to the Gracemere pump station.
  3. The construction of a new reservoir and a new pump station at Lucas Street in Gracemere.
  4. The installation of a new pump station and a small reservoir at Moonmera, approximately halfway along the pipeline route.

This project is scheduled to be completed by September 2025, subject to weather conditions.

Record investment for Western Australia’s road infrastructure

The Western Australian Government has entered into a new agreement with the WA Local Government Association, marking a historic $1.38 billion investment in local road projects. Under the five-year State Road Funds to Local Government Agreement with the WA Local Government Association, the estimated investment has been increased by $353 million compared to the previous agreement. This financial year alone, nearly $253 million will be allocated to local roads.

This agreement guarantees that local councils will receive 20 percent of the revenue collected from the State’s vehicle licence fee collections, which will be dedicated to local roads. As part of this commitment, the focus will be on road safety initiatives, boosting Aboriginal employment opportunities, and promoting the use of recycled materials in road construction.

Under this arrangement, local government-managed programs will receive 67 percent of annual funding, encompassing direct grants, road project grants, State Black Spot allocations, and remote Aboriginal access roads. The remaining 33 percent of funding will be allocated to Main Roads managed programs, covering State initiatives related to local roads, bridge maintenance and inspections, as well as traffic management, signage, and pavement markings.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti emphasised that this agreement is pivotal in ensuring the ongoing maintenance and improvement of Western Australia’s road network. She added that the record funding allocation for local roads would contribute significantly to these efforts.

Moreover, the agreement emphasises access roads for remote Aboriginal communities, with an allocation of $2.5 million for this fiscal year, and further investments in the coming years.

Please find below a comprehensive breakdown of the funding allocation by region for the fiscal year 2023/24:

  • Great Southern: $13.1 million
  • Wheatbelt: $35.9 million
  • Kimberley: $8.8 million
  • Pilbara: $7.4 million
  • Mid West/Gascoyne: $22.4 million
  • Goldfields-Esperance: $20.8 million
  • South West: $30.5 million
  • Metropolitan: $92.5 million

Check out https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/ for further information

Far North Queensland Celebrates Rail and Road Project Achievement

The $535 million Bruce Highway-Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3)-Edmonton to Gordonvale project has reached its zenith with the official commissioning of a pivotal component. This monumental project has transformed traffic flow and road safety in the region, mitigating congestion, reducing travel times, and enhancing road access and active transport networks.

A momentous achievement in this project’s timeline, the Menmuny Overpass, spanning an impressive 141 meters, has been unveiled as a crucial milestone. It will be open to motorists starting Friday, August 18, ensuring safe access to the highway in all directions.

Commencing construction in May 2020, this project involved the duplication and enhancement of a 10.5-kilometer section of the Bruce Highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale, the busiest two-lane segment of the highway connecting Cairns and Brisbane. Over 200 million hours of work have gone into the project, engaging more than 300 local suppliers and contractors.

In addition to the highway upgrades, this endeavor includes:

  • A 4.5-kilometer rail track upgrade and realignment of the Queensland Rail North Coast Line.
  • A new intersection and enhancements to two existing intersections.
  • Over eight kilometers (8.9 kilometers) of upgraded local roads.
  • Construction of new road and rail bridges at Wrights Creek and Stoney Creek.
  • A cycleway bridge at Collinson Creek.
  • A 10.4-kilometer cycleway.
  • Twenty-seven kilometers of drainage.
  • Three new pedestrian crossing facilities, including a pedestrian overpass.

Funding for this project is provided by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, with the Australian Government committing $428.01 million and the Queensland Government $106.99 million.

The project is set to be fully operational by the end of the month, with minor remaining works scheduled for completion in September.

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King affirmed the Australian Government’s commitment to delivering safe and reliable road infrastructure that connects and supports Queensland and rural and regional Australia, stating that such vital projects strengthen communities, freight networks, and road safety.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey emphasized that the new highway would ensure long-term resilience for this section of the Cairns Southern Access Corridor. He also noted the community’s involvement in naming ten new pieces of infrastructure, which celebrate local identities and rich Indigenous culture.

Joint venture contractors John Holland, Seymour Whyte, and AECOM are credited with successfully delivering this remarkable project. John Holland Operations Manager Natasha Roy highlighted the collaborative effort between teams and local subcontractors as instrumental in the project’s success. She underscored the significance of community support and the project’s sustainable construction methodologies, which have set industry standards while preserving the area’s heritage and environment. Additionally, the project has contributed to the growth of local livelihoods, fostering strong relationships with local contractors and businesses and paving the way for their involvement in future major infrastructure projects in Far North Queensland.

$29.7 billion QLD roads and transport plan

The Queensland Government has released its $29.7 billion roads and transport investment plan, prioritising regional projects and road safety programs.

The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2022-23 outlines current and planned investments over the next four years.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said the seventh record roads and transport budget in a row is helping to build an even more impressive pipeline of projects.

“Queensland is growing rapidly, with our world leading pandemic response making our state the place to be, but we know we need infrastructure to support this growth and that’s what this budget delivers for Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.

“The investment will drive the Queensland Government’s plan for shifting from economic recovery to future growth and prosperity, supporting jobs and delivering critical infrastructure to keep our state moving.

“This year’s $29.7 billion in road and transport infrastructure investment plan will support 25,200 direct jobs, helping to promote more jobs in more industries, all while delivering better transport options for Queenslanders.”

Mr Bailey said the budget includes major investment in south-east Queensland roads.

“Works are ramping up on the M1, Bruce Highway, and on the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector,” Mr Bailey said.

“Driving from Coolangatta to Coolum, Queenslanders can see just how many major upgrades are going on through that corridor.

“From the $1 billion Varsity Lakes to Tugun M1 upgrade and the $1 billion Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway M1 upgrade, to the $662.5 million Caboolture to Steve Irwin Way Bruce Highway upgrade, we’re delivering more lanes, better interchanges, and safer conditions across the south-east’s major roads.

“On top of that, we’re building a brand new highway, the Coomera Connector, which will deliver a second M1 between Logan and the Gold Coast, and will be the biggest road project in Queensland’s history.

“That’s the major work we are delivering right now, while also planning for the future with a range of planning studies and business cases funded through this budget to detail what’s needed next across the region.”

Funding regional corridors

Queensland Assistant Minister Regional Roads and Train Manufacturing, Bruce Saunders, said major regional corridors such as the Bruce Highway are getting further significant investment, improving capacity, flood immunity and road safety.

“More than half of this record-breaking investment will directly support regional Queensland, with over $18 billion worth of road and transport projects being delivered outside the Brisbane region,” Mr Saunders said.

“The pipeline of investment outlined in this plan will support an average of 16,220 direct jobs across regional Queensland, stepping up our focus on supporting regional growth.

“This includes funding for major regional projects like the $1.06 billion Rockhampton Ring Road, the $1 billion Cooroy to Curra Bruce Highway upgrade, the $481 million Cairns Southern Access Corridor Bruce Highway upgrade, the $350 million Mackay Port Access road, the $336 million Tiaro Bypass on the Bruce and the $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5).

“It also includes $280 million over four years for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme which increases our commitment to work with local governments on local road and transport networks in regional areas.”

Road safety programs

Mr Bailey said $1.49 billion was allocated to targeted road safety programs, which was additional to road safety improvements delivered as part of major programs and projects.

“Improving road safety to reduce road trauma and save lives remains our highest priority,” Mr Bailey said.

“This investment continues on a legacy of constant improvement through our various safety programs, supported by our investment in infrastructure which improves road conditions.”

Mr Bailey said the budget also meant the Queensland Government will be delivering $266.2 million for active transport infrastructure.

“This includes projects such as the Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads Cycleway, the Veloway 1 O’Keefe Street bridge, active transport path and crossing along Gympie – Brooloo Road, and the New England Highway Bikeway, Highfields to Toowoomba (Stage 2),” Mr Bailey said.

“This is in addition to other projects that provide improvements to the active transport network, such as infrastructure upgrades associated with Coomera Connector Stage 1, Centenary Bridge upgrade and various projects on the M1 and Bruce Highway.

“Queensland boaties can also look forward to an investment of $185.3 million towards maintenance and upgrades of their local facilities, including boat ramps, floating walkways, pontoons and dredging projects.

“This year’s QTRIP really highlights the important work we are delivering across the state, making Queensland the place everyone wants to be.”

Mr Bailey also noted the timing of the 2022 Federal Election meant QTRIP had been developed in advance of the incoming Federal Government’s formal updates to the National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects Schedule for Queensland.

Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government would work closely with the Federal Government in coming months to incorporate new commitments into the infrastructure pipeline such as additional federal funding for the Bruce Highway, Kuranda Range, Boundary Road level crossing (Coopers Plains) and Ipswich Motorway planning.

https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2022/06/22/29-7-billion-qld-roads-and-transport-plan/