That’s why Council is advocating for a fairer share of funding to ensure our region’s roads are fit for purpose, now and into the future.
Why Road Infrastructure Matters
The Western Downs is home to the largest road network in Queensland, and the second largest in Australia - around 10,000kms, or roughly equivalent to driving from one side of Australia to the other and back again. Of this, 1,800km are State-controlled roads used by over 300,000 heavy vehicles per year, and which currently fall well short of the Department of Transport and Main Roads' target standards.
The Warrego Highway, Queensland’s Federally-controlled east-west freight corridor, transports $19.5 billion in freight annually. The 186km stretch of the highway within in the Western Downs alone moves more than $11.86 billion in freight on over 100,000 road trains and semi-trailers each year. Despite delivering 60% of all freight demand on the route, this stretch of highway is significantly underfunded and in poor condition, with Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) data showing that 8% (~15km) of the highway is in very poor condition.
The Western Downs is delivering nationally significant outcomes across energy, agriculture and regional development. However, it is doing so while carrying a disproportionate share of the infrastructure burden and associated costs.
Under current settings, prioritisation is often driven by traffic volume rather than freight function. Roads with higher volumes of light and commuter traffic are prioritised ahead of corridors carrying significant heavy vehicle loads. This does not reflect how the network is actually being used. Heavy vehicles, including oversize and over-mass freight, place substantially greater strain on road infrastructure, accelerating deterioration and shortening asset life.
Even where sections of the highway are ‘upgraded’ or restored, they are often returned to a standard that no longer reflects the demands being placed on them. Infrastructure that is technically “as new” is not necessarily fit for purpose in a corridor experiencing sustained heavy freight growth.
Businesses report accelerated vehicle wear and increased vehicle maintenance costs as a result of the poor condition of state and federally-controlled roads. Survey data from businesses operating across the region shows that 96% consider the state and federal road network critical to their operations, while 65% rate the Warrego Highway and 81% rate State Roads as being in poor or very poor condition. Approximately 88% report that road conditions have negatively affected their business over the past three years.
What This Means for Our Region
Economic Efficiency: Our road network is the backbone of the Western Downs economy. It connects our energy, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors to national and global markets, and supports the movement of critical equipment, technology, and workforce.
Freight Growth: With Australia’s freight demand expected to rise, investment in resilient, high-capacity road infrastructure is essential to keep goods moving efficiently and safely.
Local Impact: State and Federal roads damaged or degraded by frequent heavy-vehicle traffic pose a safety risk not only to those travelling through our region, but also to our residents who drive on these roads every day.
Cost Shifting: The cost of maintaining the state and federal road network is no longer being carried by the system designed to fund it. The gap between funding and demand is widening, placing increasing strain on the network and increasing the financial burden on those who use it.
Spotlight: Dogwood Creek Bridge
The Dogwood Creek Bridge is a vital freight link on the Warrego Highway. A 2022 structural assessment by TMR found it unsuitable for oversize vehicles over 175 tonnes. Without a viable alternative, these vehicles face a 278km detour, including sections of gravel road that are often impassable during wet weather.
Since 2022, Council has provided an alternative route using local roads - a goodwill gesture that halves the detour distance, reduces emissions and delays, and supports critical energy and mining projects. However, this solution places additional strain on local infrastructure, adding costs that are not sufficiently covered by current funding.
Council has demonstrated a clear willingness to intervene where required, maintaining network functionality and supporting critical freight movements where possible. These actions have sustained delivery to date, but they are not a substitute for structural resolution.
Council’s Advocacy
Council has consistently advocated for significant State and Federal investment in road renewal, upgrades and network resilience. This has included direct engagement with Ministers and government agencies, formal submissions, and ongoing correspondence highlighting the condition of the network and its inability to support increasing freight demand. While some isolated announcements have been made, such as planning work for sections of the Moonie Highway, these represent only a small part of a much broader and deteriorating network.
Council has repeatedly raised concerns regarding the adequacy of funding models and the growing maintenance backlog, noting that current arrangements are insufficient to deliver a fit-for-purpose and sustainable network. While some funding has been received, it has been limited and piecemeal. Many priority projects remain unfunded or in early planning stages, and overall progress has not kept pace with the scale or urgency of the challenge.
Council is actively advocating for:
- Increased Federal and State funding to address urgent maintenance and safety backlogs on the Warrego Highway and our State-controlled road network
- Strengthening or repairs to the Dogwood Creek Bridge, a key freight link west of Miles
- Equitable funding models that reflect freight volume and economic contribution - not just traffic counts
- Long-term investment in infrastructure resilience to support future growth
- Recognition of regional roads as critical national infrastructure