Shute Harbour Road will get a $12 million upgrade after the Morrison Liberal National Government identified it as a Road of Strategic Importance (ROSI).

The section between Paluma Road and Valley Drive will be upgraded to four lanes and receive intersection improvements; increasing the capacity and safety of Airlie Beach’s sole access road.

We know the Whitsundays has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, especially in the tourism and accommodation industries.

The Federal Government is getting behind the Whitsunday region at this difficult time and delivering a keys infrastructure project that will provide long-term benefits to the area.

Not only will this project deliver jobs for locals, but it will streamline the access for travellers and tourists to Airlie Beach while improving safety for road users in general.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the early works projects will be delivered on corridors identified under the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.

“Works to seal roads, build overtaking lanes, upgrade intersections and improve safety will start sooner under an agreement reached between the Australian and Queensland Governments on 22 jointly-funded regional projects worth $185 million,” Mr McCormack said.

“As the effects of COVID-19 ripple through our economy, it is vital all levels of Governments work together to support jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger and safer regional communities,” Mr McCormack said.

“Delivering early works through the ROSI initiative will give regional Queensland communities access to new projects and jobs.

“We are committed to delivering the Federal Government’s $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline which will support our economy and create jobs, particularly for those in the construction and building supply chain sectors, through the current COVID-19 response.”

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the identification of these priorities is an important step as the Coalition Government works with the Queensland Government to develop a 10-year, Roads of Strategic Importance strategy.

“This is about making these major roads and key freight routes safer and more reliable, while also supporting Council workforces and local contractors, who will benefit from these contracts too,” Mr Buchholz said.

“These early works for some of Queensland’s key inland freight corridors total around $185 million of crucial investment over the next four years.

“We will continue to work closely with local councils and other key industry stakeholders who use those corridors to identify future priority works as part of our ROSI investments across Queensland.

“In the meantime, we are getting on and delivering critical projects on each of these road networks including bridge replacements, road sealing and widening and intersection upgrades while we’re consulting on the longer-term priorities.”