Originally published by Regional Development Australia (PDF)

AgForce Queensland, who is a peak organisation representing Queensland's rural producers, advocates for the unlocking of key strategic trade routes. This requires further infrastructure investment and maintenance into Queensland’s priority roads and bridges.

Inland Queensland Roads Action Project (IQ-RAP) Partners are advocating for funding commitments in the lead up to the State election and welcomes the support of AgForce to promote the needs of our rural producers.

“The truth is that Government investment in road infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with development in regional communities, rural industries, or farm machinery and technology – astonishing, considering that nearly half of the State’s economy is generated outside greater Brisbane” said AgForce Queensland CEO, Mike Guerin.

At this difficult time in our economy, continuing investment into strategic freight networks will be important for jobs as well as industry, tourism and communities. Further investment commitments will allow the vision of IQ-RAP to be realized. The IQ-RAP vision is to increase the quality and accessibility of the inland Queensland road network, contributing to Australia’s productivity, quality of life, safety and equity outcomes.

“Road reliability is of paramount importance to the agricultural industry. The ability to access markets when the price is right and the produce is ready is essential for financial success” said Jane McNamara, Deputy Chair, IQ-RAP Working Group.

Investment into roads has a very significant multiplier effect in terms of benefits. Investment can immediately catalyse local construction jobs in each of our communities; businesses will benefit through better and more reliable road quality that ensures greater productivity and efficiency; more areas will open up to tourists; and there will be better safety outcomes for all road users.

“Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland recognises the importance of promoting the role of infrastructure projects as a crucial part of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic but also how critical it is to have safe, reliable and efficient roads in our region to our agricultural sector” said Frank Beveridge, Chairman, Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland.

IQ-RAP Partners have requested commitments from each Party to endorse the Inland Queensland Road Network Strategy, invest $200m into currently unfunded priorities across the 28 local government areas, and progress detailed planning for the identified priorities.

Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland (RDA) has provided secretariat and project management to IQ-RAP since 2013. The project covers 70% of Queensland across 28 local government areas. Partners include 28 local governments, five Regional Development Australia committees and RACQ.

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Media Contact: Mike Guerin 0499 002092