OUTBACK TO OCEAN

Connecting central-western with world markets

Between Bedourie and Birdsville in western Queensland’s Diamantina Shire, and the Port of Gladstone lie 2000 kilometres of roads unfit for purpose. Roads that cannot carry the capacity of heavy vehicles that use them. Roads that degrade with wet and dry weather conditions, costing governments millions to maintain and repair after each wet weather event. Roads that turn away tourists and limit opportunities for businesses and people’s access to services. And roads that are a safety hazard for users.

Outback to ocean connects Many more businesses servicing local program, bringing together private and Queensland’s centre with the communities and industries use the multi-level government funding. route in their day-to-day trade. opportunities of the Port of Gladstone, The Central Highlands Development improving people’s lives along the way. The alone Corporation’s award-winning Seven local government areas are shows apparent economic growth and Agribusiness Capability Study current and potential users of the route: diversification of industries that promise demonstrates the economic value of the mutual value-added benefits. ag-industry powerhouse. And a recently ■ Diamantina Shire Council ■ announced Abattoir Feasibility Study has The CQ Inland Port site sits along the ■ Barcoo Shire Council been described as a genuine evidence- ■ route. Now in construction phase, the based evaluation of the region’s meat ■■ Blackall-Tambo Regional Council project is described as the region’s processing capacity that will attract a flagship infrastructure development ■■ Central Highlands Regional Council successful operator to the region. ■ Banana Shire Council ■ argeted upgrades to key roads that support heavy vehicle traffic will ■■ Regional Council Thave financial, economic and social benefits for stakeholders across ■■ Gladstone Regional Council the region and beyond. Outback to ocean is an integral access route for goods and produce to Central Agriculture • business • economy • tourism • people Queensland and export markets. ■■ improved reliability, productivity ■■ improved access to employment Australia’s premier pastoral entreprises and resilience of supply chains and essential services Australian Agricultural Company (AACo), ■■ improved animal welfare with ■■ promote tourism and related North Australian Pastoral Company enterprises (NAPCO) and Hewitt Cattle Australia shorter and smoother travel ■■ reduced maintenance cost for have holdings in the region. AACo’s ■■ reduced freight costs Goonoo Feedlot near Comet is said to be local government ■ reduced travel time and driver the largest Wagyu feeding operation in ■ ■■ reduced flood damage restoration the world. fatigue cost Small and family businesses use the ■■ reduced vehicle operating and ■■ attract investment and route to transport prime EU and organic maintenance costs diversification beef to abattoirs in Rockhampton and ■■ improved access with fewer ■■ improved road safety for all users . seasonal road closures

Document Set ID: 1331265 Version: 1, Version Date: 19/11/2018 Case Study The Tambo to link - Upper Nogoa region

The Tambo to Springsure link in the 4% of Queensland’s gross cattle product works. In addition to savings in flood Upper Nogoa region is midway along and their transport annually puts 2,800 damage and restoration works, road the Dawson Developmental Road. The B-double and road trains on the road. upgrades will see savings of $621,600 in road facilitates movement of livestock, annual maintenance grading cost. Due to the substandard road conditions, grain and tourism between the country this critical part of the supply chain is CSIRO TraNSIT modeling completed and coastal centres and 148 kilometres not realising its full potential, costing for the Northern Australia Beef Roads of the road remain unsealed. Key businesses and government substantial Program in 2016, estimates savings of stakeholders from local government, amounts in loss of income, operational $219,592 per year for cattle transport beef and transport industries, local inefficiency and maintenance. The alone, raising its rank on the Beef Roads graziers and community members road is often disrupted during weather Program. The figure is based on savings are actively advocating for funding to events. Since 2010, the road has been of $37,717 by driving and a further upgrade the link with a pave and seal. closed 21 times for a period of up to 35 $1,191 in savings for breakdown related Around 225,000 head of cattle with an days. costs per road user. Across the broader estimated market value of $125 to $150 network, more efficient use of roads and Since 2008, more than $10 million has million are transported on the unsealed truck configurations save $8,738 each been spent on National Disaster Relief section each year. These cattle make up year. and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA)

The investment Central Highlands Regional Council and Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, with support of the Central Highlands Development Corporation are seeking $77 million in state and federal government funding over eight years to pave and seal the 148 kilometre unsealed Tambo to Springsure link. On the first section of road between Birdsville, Bedourie and Springsure lie 665 kilometres of unsealed state and local government controlled roads. The estimated total investment required to seal outback to ocean is $322 million.

Road links Road owner Sealed status Kilometres of unsealed road Cost to complete seal

Birdsville to Morney DTMR Partially sealed 210 $105 million

Bedourie to Windorah DTMR Partially sealed 216 $108 million

Windorah to Retreat DTMR Partially sealed 57 $20 million

Retreat to Yaraka Shire Unsealed 34 $12 million

Yaraka to Emmet to Shire Sealed - - Blackall

Blackall to Tambo DTMR Sealed - -

Tambo to Springsure DTMR Partially sealed 148 $77 million

Shire subtotal 91 $32 million

DTMR subtotal 574 $290 million

Total 665 $322 million

Bulldust on the 148 kilometre unsealed Tambo to Springsure link section of the outback to ocean route.

65 Egerton Street, Emerald QLD 4720 P: 1300242 686 E: enquiries@chrc,qld,gov.au centralhighlands.qld.gov.au

Document Set ID: 1331265 Version: 1, Version Date: 19/11/2018