Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group

On this page:

• Project story: Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcaldine-Aramac Road pavement rehabilitation and widening
• Project story: Longreach Regional Council - Construction of seven roundabouts in Longreach
• Regional Roads and Transport Group members
• Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group map
• Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) program details

Project story: Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcaldine-Aramac Road pavement rehabilitation and widening

Submitted by Ricardo Marino, Acting Director of Works, Barcaldine Regional Council.

Barcaldine Regional Council has successfully completed another stage of the Barcaldine–Aramac Road Pavement Rehabilitation project, delivered under the TIDS. This upgrade forms part of a broader, staged investment on the Barcaldine–Aramac Road—a key regional transport corridor that supports the movement of freight, agricultural produce, and local traffic between Barcaldine, Aramac, Hughenden, and surrounding rural communities.

The section between Chainages 24.88km and 30km was prioritised for rehabilitation due to its significantly deteriorated condition. The pavement exhibited widespread surface defects and structural weaknesses, posing safety risks and limiting the road’s capacity to support increasing freight and heavy vehicle movements.

To address these issues, the project involved widening the existing formation to an 8m sealed width, comprising 3m traffic lanes in each direction and 1m sealed shoulders. Full pavement reconstruction was undertaken to restore structural integrity and improve ride quality, with all works delivered to TMR specifications.

Construction was undertaken by the Barcaldine Regional Council Construction Team, utilising local plant, labour, and materials. This delivery model ensured cost-efficiency while generating economic benefits for the region through local employment and supplier engagement.

Completion of this 5.12km section has delivered significant outcomes, including enhanced road safety, improved weather resilience, and strengthened pavement performance. The upgrade also improves connectivity for residents, businesses, and emergency services, and provides a more reliable and direct transport route between Barcaldine and Hughenden.

Importantly, the project contributes to the long-term strategic objective of fully upgrading the Barcaldine–Aramac Road corridor. The improvements will reduce future maintenance needs and support the continued development of a safer, more resilient transport network across Central West Queensland.

Barcaldine Regional Council acknowledges the ongoing support of the Alliance and TIDS funding in enabling critical infrastructure investment and regional connectivity through collaborative delivery.

Project story: Longreach Regional Council - Construction of seven roundabouts in Longreach

Submitted by Longreach Regional Council.

In response to ongoing traffic safety concerns in Longreach, Longreach Regional Council delivered the construction of seven roundabouts at key intersections across the township. The project followed concerns raised by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), who identified a pattern of crashes linked to Ergon Energy power poles located in the centre of intersections. 

Despite previous efforts to improve pole visibility, crash data from 2015 to 2020 showed that over half of local crashes occurred at unsignalized intersections, with a third involving direct collisions with power poles. In collaboration with Ergon Energy, council determined that roundabouts were the most effective and cost-efficient solution. 

With discretionary TIDS support through the Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group, council constructed three roundabouts as part of an initial trial. Following its success, the remaining four were completed, finalising the project in November 2024. 

The project achieved: 

• improved intersection safety and reduced crash rates across Longreach
• enhanced visibility and driver awareness without disrupting traffic flow 
• positive community feedback and strong support from QPS
• no reported incidents involving the new roundabouts since installation
• cost-effective long-term solution that preserved existing infrastructure. 

Roundabouts were constructed at the following locations:

• Swan Street and Emu Street intersection
• Emu Street and Pelican Street intersection
• Duck Street and Crane Street intersection
• Crane Street and Snipe Street intersection
• Crane Street and Swan Street intersection
• Pelican Street and Galah Street intersection
• Swan Street and Galah Street intersection.

Regional Roads and Transport Group members

• Barcaldine Regional Council
• Barcoo Shire Council
• Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
• Boulia Shire Council
• Diamantina Shire Council
• Longreach Regional Council
• Winton Shire Council
• TMR Central West District

Chair: Councillor Francis Murray, Mayor, Diamantina Shire Council
Deputy Chair: Councillor Rick Britton, Mayor, Boulia Shire Council
Technical Committee Chair: Stuart Bourne, GBA Consulting Engineers
Technical Committee Deputy Chair: Ajay Agwan, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
Technical Coordinator: Matthew Brennan, GBA Consulting Engineers
Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme 2024–25 Allocation: $6,272,686
Total number of projects: 16

Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group map.

Outback Regional Roads and Transport Group (RRTG) Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) program details

The following information lists the RRTG TIDS 2024–25 works program by local government, with the project name and the year-to-date TIDS expenditure.

Barcaldine Regional Council

Project name	Expenditure
Barcaldine - Aramac Road (Section 1) rehabilitate and widen	$1,342,322
Willow Street, Fir Street to Boree Street (Barcaldine), install kerb and channel	$200,000

Barcoo Shire Council

Project name	Expenditure
Windorah Airport, repair runway	$30,804
Diamantina Developmental Road (Quilpie - Windorah), Long Crossing to Windorah (Section 1), widen pavement	$599,042

Blackall Tambo Regional Council

Project name	Expenditure
Blackall - Jericho Road, rehabilitate and widen	$1,123,513
Alva Road, 158.00 - 168.00km, rehabilitate pavement	$200,000

Boulia Shire Council

Project name	Expenditure
Diamantina Developmental Road (Dajarra - Mount Isa), Waverly Creek northern approach, undertake safety improvements	$1,364,578
Various roads, 2024-25 reseal bitumen	$150,000

Diamantina Shire Council

Project name	Expenditure
Diamantina Shire, planning and design on the state network	$92,252
Eyre Developmental Road (Bedourie - Birdsville), pave and seal	$653,937
Birdsville town streets, reseal	$150,000

Longreach Regional Council

Project name	Expenditure
Longreach township, various roads, install roundabouts	$50,000
Pelican Street (Longreach), install kerb entry units	$25,000
Galah Street, Sparrow Street to Plover Street (Longreach), rehabilitate pavement and replace kerb and channel	$200,000

Winton Shire Council

Project name	Expenditure
Richmond - Winton Road, pave and seal	$25,324
Winton town streets, construct footpaths kerb and channel	$150,000