Council extends additional 4.9 km of sealed road in western Goondiwindi Region

The sealed road network in the Goondiwindi Region now extends for an additional 4.9 kilometres in the west of the region, thanks to newly-completed work by Goondiwindi Regional Council.

Council has extended the bitumen seal about 20 kilometres south of Weengallon along Daymar-Weengallon Road, an important rural and freight route. Council prioritised the project for external funding to help stabilise a low area of the road and provide a better surface for road users.

The work was completed in two stages, with about 2.6 kilometres completed in the first stage and an additional 2.3 kilometres in stage two.

The works were proudly funded by the Queensland Government through the Transport Infrastructure and Development Scheme (TIDS) and Goondiwindi Regional Council. Council received a combined total of $254,750 in funding through TIDS towards the works, with $129,750 allocated to the first stage and $125,000 to the second stage.

The recent works are the latest in a series of Council projects that have extended more than 20 kilometres of bitumen seal along Daymar-Weengallon Road.

Councillor Jason Watts holds Council’s portfolio for Roads and Transport and said the upgrades will mean a smoother, safer ride for rural residents and heavy goods vehicles.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to deliver this project for the Goondiwindi Region, which will be a win for rural residents in the west of the region, in particular,” Cr Watts said.

“Daymar-Weengallon Road is a key part of our western road network, especially for heavy goods vehicles and livestock transport,” he said. “The extra nearly 5 kilometres of extended seal along this road will help to prevent degradation of the road surface, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance or costly road repairs, and also help to improve road safety.”

Cr Watts said external funding opportunities such as the TIDS played an important role in upgrading the region’s regional infrastructure.

“I’m really pleased to see this kind of funding go towards our regional and western roads in particular,” he said. “As a Council, we see this is a great opportunity to invest in our roads using external funding – which means less cost to the ratepayer.”

The upgrades complement a number of other recent road projects funded externally, including a major $6.25 million project to widen the Barwon Highway between Talwood and Nindigully.

“Council is committed to investing in transport infrastructure right across the region, and has allocated $19.18 million towards local roads and transport as part of its 2022-23 Budget – with that number expected to increase even further with flood recovery repairs,” Cr Watts said.

Council engaged a local contractor during the Daymar-Weengallon Road upgrades.