The Queensland Government is improving the resilience of the state-controlled road network at priority sites impacted by the state's weather events. The work aims to minimise future flood damage and reduce closures.
The Castlereagh Highway, between St George and Hebel, experienced extensive flood damage from three protracted heavy rainfall events between November 2021 and May 2022. Emergency repairs were completed immediately after the disaster events so the highway could reopen safely while a substantial program of flood recovery works was planned. In addition to reconstruction works, eight priority sites were identified on the Castlereagh Highway between Noondoo and Hebel for betterment works. The betterment works included altering road levels, installing concrete batter protection, replacing culverts and constructing resilient road pavement. In addition to the betterment works, pavement repairs were undertaken on various sections between 3km east and 38.13km south of Dirranbandi.
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Betterment works were delivered through the 2021-22 Betterment Program, with extraordinary assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State DRFA.