$7.9 million boost for key road upgrades across Flinders Shire
Published on 08 April 2026
Flinders Shire Council has welcomed a significant investment in local infrastructure, with three priority road projects securing funding under the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP).
The projects will see a combined investment of $7.9 million, including $6.3 million in Federal funding, delivering safer, more accessible and more resilient road networks across the Shire. All works are expected to be completed by June 2029.
The funded projects include:
- Reconstruction of Mowbray Street (Swanson Street to Resolution Street) in Hughenden
- Upgrade of Chisolm and Christison Streets in Prairie
- Upgrade of Corney Street and Franzmann Road in Hughenden.
Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said the funding represented a major win for the community and highlighted the persistence behind the achievement.
“This is great news for our region and a strong endorsement of the priority projects Council has been consistently advocating for,” Mayor Peddle said.
“This is now the third time we have submitted these projects, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that persistence pay off. I want to sincerely congratulate our team and Councillors for their outstanding and ongoing advocacy in securing this outcome.
“I was actually in a meeting at Parliament House with Senator Nita Green when she received the email confirming the funding. She showed me the list of successful recipients, and I was ecstatic to see Flinders listed three times, it was a very exciting moment.”
Mayor Peddle said Council had taken a strategic and disciplined approach to prioritising infrastructure upgrades.
“We know that streets across all our communities need attention, and we’ve taken a careful, considered approach to prioritising them where the need is greatest,” she said.
“This funding allows us to move beyond short-term fixes and deliver higher-quality, longer-lasting road upgrades – something our communities both need and deserve, but which is often beyond the scope of Council’s regular budget.”
The Mowbray Street reconstruction will address long-standing drainage and accessibility issues, with the current road breaking up on either side of the bitumen centre and becoming boggy and difficult to access during the wet season. Works will improve stormwater management, road width and intersection safety, delivering a more reliable all-weather road for residents.
In Prairie, upgrades to Chisolm and Christison Streets will provide critical road access to residential blocks for housing development, supporting growth in the township. The project will also include drainage improvements and sealing works to ensure safer and more consistent access.
Meanwhile, works on Corney Street and Franzmann Road will also focus on improving access to residential blocks, unlocking further housing opportunities in Hughenden while enhancing connectivity and road safety.
“These upgrades will significantly improve road safety, accessibility and liveability across our communities, while also supporting future residential growth and development,” Mayor Peddle said.
Mayor Peddle said Council would continue to advocate strongly for future investment.
“We won’t stop pushing for the investment our community needs. While progress can at times feel slow, our commitment remains unwavering,” she said.
“By sticking to our priorities and maintaining a consistent approach aligned with our Corporate Plan, we continue to be the steady hand our community expects and deserves.
“I’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to Minister Kirsty McBain and the Commonwealth Government for their support of this program and for backing Flinders Shire through this successful grant.”
Council acknowledged the Australian Government’s support through the SLRIP program and looks forward to progressing these important infrastructure upgrades for the benefit of the Flinders Shire community.