Road Connectivity

Tablelands Access

The road networks linking Cairns with the vital agricultural, mining and tourism regions of the Atherton Tablelands and beyond are critical enablers of the regional economy. With sizeable growth in both agriculture and mining in the region predicted in the next decade, a safe and reliable road network that enables increased heavy vehicle traffic is vital for economic growth and prosperity in the region. The road network in and out of Cairns acts as the main distribution hub for the region and is essential for further developing the agricultural and mining exports of the region. However, the growing demands for freight and increasing frequency of severe weather events, has strained the existing infrastructure, impacting transport costs and service levels across the supply chain.

The Kuranda Range Road (Kennedy Highway, Cairns-Mareeba section) connects Smithfield to Kuranda and serves as the main coastal gateway to the Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula, and the Gulf Savannah. It is a critical route for commuters, commercial traffic, and visitors in Far North Queensland, supporting the region's primary industries by providing access to markets through Cairns' air and seaports, as well as southern road links. There have been 21 years of studies on the Kuranda Range Road with most recommendations not implemented. As a result, safety, capacity, and efficiency issues are now at a critical point with the recent extreme rainfall in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper highlighting this once again.  As the state government nears completion of the Far North Queensland Regional Plan review, which addresses population growth and Cairns' geographic constraints, a commitment is sought for a preliminary evaluation and detailed business case exploring alternatives to the Kuranda Range Road.

Funding
A joint commitment of $262.5m towards safety and resilience upgrades on the Kuranda Range Road has been made by the Australian and Queensland Governments (80:20).

There are other impediments to a safe and efficient transport corridor with the Barron River Bridge (Kennedy Highway at Kuranda) limited to 50.5 tonnes and single lane traffic due to concerns over its safety and stability. The business case is currently underway to identify a preferred long-term solution – either rehabilitating or replacing the bridge.

The Queensland Labor Government have made an election commitment of $450m to deliver a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda Range with construction to be complete by 2031.

The government must prioritise delivery of the new Barron River Bridge, ensuring construction is complete sooner, by 2029 rather than out to 2031.

The National Land Transport Network (NLTN) outlines nationally significant road and rail infrastructure links and their intermodal connections. The legislation aims to assist economic and social development through the provision of Commonwealth funding aimed at the improvement of land transport infrastructure.

Continuing the NLTN from Smithfield to Mareeba, and ultimately to Weipa, would meet these objectives and ensure the continued economic and social development of the Atherton Tablelands region and beyond. It would be the next logical step in the network, with Mareeba being the gateway to the region’s agriculture production areas of Atherton Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula, and the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

The Savannah Way traverses northern Australia, linking Cairns in FNQ to Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. The route is about 3700km long, crossing 15 national parks and five World Heritage areas as it navigates the Top End. Recognising the need to seal the Gulf section of the Savannah Way, in 2019 the Australian and Queensland Governments committed $62.5m for road upgrades through the Roads of Strategic Importance – next priorities initiative.

Major investment has been made to seal around 3,200km of the route with further funding required to complete a final 172km in Queensland.

The Kennedy Developmental Road is a key strategic link from northern Australia to the southern freight hubs of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. The road is central to tourism, horticulture, freight and cattle movement through Queensland’s north and north-west region. However, for many years sections of the road remained unsealed, causing safety issues for locals, tourists, and transport operators that regularly used the road.

In 2018, $50m was committed under the Roads of Strategic Importance to progressively seal a further 48km of the Kennedy Developmental Road (The Lynd – Hughenden), construction was completed in late December 2023

$30m is now required to seal the final 10.8km of the Kennedy Developmental Road and complete the White Cliffs realignment.

Funding
This project was funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.

Cairns and Northern Beaches Access

The road network spanning Cairns’ northern beaches is of regional significance and remains essential to Far North Queensland’s future prosperity and liveability. A cohesive and effective road network between Cairns’ CBD and northern beaches guarantees access to vital healthcare, education and community services in addition to resident, tourist and trade and business connectivity.

An integrated and efficient road transport network is critical for economic stability and growth. Population growth in FNQ, and the Cairns northern beaches in particular, calls for an immediate response with this corridor plagued by accidents, lengthy delays and bottlenecks.

Master planning, including a staged approach for the upgrades is underway. The expected completion date for this work was late 2023, however this has been deferred until mid-2025.

Upgrades to the Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield are of even greater importance in the wake of record-breaking flooding in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, highlighting the region’s vulnerabilities relating to transport and infrastructure. It is imperative for the future prosperity and liveability of Cairns that the Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield, upgrade be undertaken as a matter of urgency to meet pressing current and future needs. This is critical to building a resilient future for the region.

Funding
This project is funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and was announced as part of the 2019-20 Federal Budget.

The Cairns Western Arterial Road (CWAR) is central to freight, commuter and tourism traffic and supports resilience and connectivity when the Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield is flooded.

The effectiveness and safety of the road transport network in and around Cairns will continue to be adversely impacted until the CWAR is fully duplicated from Redlynch to Smithfield and in line with an upgrade of major intersections. A total commitment of $300m has been pledged by the Australian and Queensland Governments on an 80:20 basis to duplicate from Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway.

Preparation works for Section 1 are expected to commence in late 2024, weather and other circumstances permitting.

Funding
The Australian Government and Queensland Government are funding the project.

Queensland Government funding has been released for preparation works for section 1, while the department continues to work towards meeting requirements set forth by the Australian Government for the release of construction funding. This follows the Australian Government’s Independent Strategic Review of its Infrastructure Investment Program.

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