$25 million boost for Flinders Highway resilience welcomed by Council

Published on 27 March 2026

Flinders Shire Council has welcomed the announcement of $25 million in betterment funding for a key section of the Flinders Highway west of Hughenden, describing it as an important step towards strengthening one of North-West Queensland’s most critical transport corridors.

The funding, delivered jointly through Federal and State Government disaster recovery and resilience programs, will target a section of the highway approximately 20km west of Hughenden, an area directly impacted during extreme weather events and heavy freight usage.

Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said the investment would improve safety, reliability and long-term resilience along a vital east–west freight route.

“The Flinders Highway is a critical lifeline for our region and the broader North-West, connecting communities, supporting industry and enabling the movement of goods across Queensland,” Mayor Peddle said.

“Stretching more than 900 kilometres from Townsville to Mount Isa, it plays a key role in transporting minerals from the North-West Minerals Province to the Port of Townsville, while also supporting our livestock industry and local economies.”

The targeted upgrades – to be delivered by June 2028 – are expected to address known issues along the corridor, including pavement deterioration, rutting and deformation, all of which can significantly impact reliability following major weather events.

“Following significant rain, this section of road can deteriorate quickly, with potholes, deformation and ongoing maintenance required due to its limited resilience under heavy freight use,” Mayor Peddle said.

“This investment will deliver a long-term solution, with full reconstruction of the road to ensure it is built stronger and more resilient to ongoing weather impacts, along with improvements to drainage.

“Strengthening this section will help deliver a more consistent, reliable standard of road for all users and improve resilience over time.”

The project forms part of a broader investment across North Queensland focused on building stronger, more disaster-resilient infrastructure following recent extreme weather events.

While the funding announcement is a positive step, Mayor Peddle noted that procurement processes are yet to commence, with tenders for the works still to be released.

“This funding is strongly supported by Council, however it’s important to note that the project is in its preliminary stages with delivery arrangements to be confirmed through that process,” she said.

Mayor Peddle said continued investment across the entire Flinders Highway corridor remained essential.

“This section is just one of many that require ongoing attention to ensure the highway remains safe, reliable and resilient for the long term,” she said.

“We will continue to advocate for further investment to support our communities, industries and the future of the North West.”

Mayor Peddle also acknowledged the support of all levels of government in progressing the project.

“We thank State Minister Ann Leahy and Federal Minister Kristy McBain for their commitment to strengthening the North West corridor and supporting the future of the Flinders Shire.”