Priority Roads Network

Better Planning - Increased Funding

Western Queensland is a major contributor to the national economy, and our roads are the arteries of Queensland’s rural, agricultural and resources economy. From paddock to plate and mine to port, our transport networks carry the products keeping Australians fed and clothed, and our economy earning export dollars.

The WQAC region contributes nearly $16 billion to Queensland’s economy from a population of approximately 67,000 people (AEC WQAC Economic Profile 2023). Our agriculture and mining sectors are key drivers of Queensland’s and Australia’s employment and income.

Our road network is vast and in need of significant upgrades to continue supporting state and national economic priorities. We need better planning, better coordination, and structured long-term State and Commonwealth funding to support rural and remote Queensland jobs and small businesses; provide equitable and safe access to services; build regional resilience; promote economic prosperity; and meet the Queensland and Australian Governments’ net zero targets through renewable industry development.

Critical focus areas for the WQAC include strengthening of connectivity and supply chains across key markets and coordinated investment in the resilience of hard and soft infrastructure – energy, water, transport, housing, digital connectivity, biosecurity and environment, technology, education and training, health and aged care.

When the WQAC was established in 2020, the group identified roads as a top priority for the regions. WQAC has undertaken work with Regional Roads and Transport Groups (RRTG) across the three regions to develop maps of the Western Queensland Priority Roads Network (WQPRN), highlighting a road hierarchy and funding priorities for the region. The WQPRN is a live planning platform which is refreshed annually.

This paper highlights the key issues in relation to road funding, investment planning and prioritisation, and includes recommendations for consideration.