First stage of major project to upgrade Yelarbon freight route now complete

Goondiwindi Regional Council has completed the first stage of a million-dollar project to upgrade an important freight route in the Yelarbon area.

The newly-completed pavement widening works have upgraded 4.8 kilometres of Yelarbon-Keetah Road to road train standards.

Council allocated a total of $1.064 million towards the works from the state government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) towards the upgrades.

Councillor Jason Watts holds Council’s portfolio for roads and transport and said the project had been prioritised to bring the road up to standard for ‘type 1’ road trains.

“Yelarbon-Keetah Road was actually one of only two rural roads in the western district of the Goondiwindi Region which was not already approved for type 1 road trains,” Cr Watts said. “It’s an important connection in the freight route around the Goondiwindi area, which is why Council prioritised this project to help bring it up to the same standard as elsewhere in the region,” he said.

“The upgrades will help to enhance the productivity of our local agricultural industry in particular, as well as leading to improved safety for local residents as well.

“We also anticipate increased traffic from our tourism sector in the long-term once interstate travel is open again, as the Yelarbon silos draw travellers from far and wide as part of the national silo art trail.”

Work on the first stage of the project began in April this year and was finalised in August. Council engaged a number of local businesses to carry out the landscape and earthmoving works on the project.

The next section of the upgrade is scheduled to get underway next year.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region the Honourable Lawrence Springborg AM said Council has committed $12.3 million towards the region’s roads and transport for 2021-22.

“The Goondiwindi Region is known for its agricultural excellence in particular and we need to support that by ensuring a strong local freight network made up of well-maintained rural and regional roads,” Cr Springborg said.

“Infrastructure is a big focus for this council and we are extremely grateful to have external funding opportunities such as the state government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, which has allowed for an enormous investment in one of our key regional roads.

“It’s great to see the first stage of works completed and ready to serve our local community well into the long-term.”

This project was proudly funded by the Queensland Government, through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, and Goondiwindi Regional Council.