Work has officially started on the $47.5 million early works package. The early works package forms part of the $500 million Australian and Queensland Government commitment to the Queensland Beef Corridors initiative detailed in the 10-year Central Queensland Beef Roads Investment Strategy. The first early works project has now commenced construction works, marking a significant milestone for Queensland Beef Corridors in supporting a stronger, safer and more efficient freight network for Queensland’s world-class beef industry.
This investment will support more reliable and efficient road networks across key freight routes in Central Queensland.
What this investment means for Queensland:
- More reliable, safer road networks for heavy vehicles and regional communities.
- Reduced transport and operational costs for beef producers.
- Stronger, more resilient supply chains.
- Stronger transport links between local communities, saleyards, processing facilities and major freight routes.
- Regional Economic Growth.
Early works progress:
Barcaldine Regional Council commenced construction on the first early works project on 27 October 2025. With pave and sealing works along the Clermont–Alpha Road west of Craven Road. This marks the first step in the broader $47.5 million early works package to progressively seal and strengthen key Queensland beef corridors.
Additional early work projects scheduled to commence in 2026 include:
- paving and sealing sections along the Clermont – Alpha Road, east of Pioneer Road
- paving, sealing and widening along Alpha – Tambo Road, northeast of Tumbar Road
- paving and sealing in sections along the Fitzroy Developmental Road between Bauhinia and Duaringa
- paving and sealing sections along May Downs Road between Middlemount and Clarke Creek.
These early works projects signal the beginning of a coordinated effort of local advocacy, council leadership and industry stakeholders to the Australian and Queensland Government to deliver long-term improvements across Central Queensland’s key beef corridors. The Central Queensland Beef Roads Investment Strategy outlines the short, medium and long-term priorities for the progressive sealing of nine unsealed roads in Central Queensland over the next 10 years to deliver stronger, safer and more efficient road infrastructure.