Innovative restoration project armours rural riverbank
Located 120 kilometres inland from the port city of Gladstone, the central Queensland town of Biloela exudes a charm synonymous with outback Queensland.
Affectionately referred to as ‘Bilo’, the busy commercial and tourist centre is home to the Queensland Heritage Park, the historic Greycliffe Homestead, and ancient dinosaur footprint fossils.
And, as the administrative hub of the Shire of Banana, Biloela has a key role in supporting local economic activity underpinned by agriculture and mining.
The region’s healthy agricultural sector is based on cattle farming and a variety of crops such as cotton, sorghum, wheat, herbs, and spices.
Local farmers rely on the Don River, a major tributary of the mighty Dawson River, as a vital water source for their businesses while, for the local community, it’s a popular spot for fishing, red claw crabbing and general recreation.
Adjacent to the Don River is Kellys Road, an unsealed rural connector road vital to the region’s economic activity and employment.
Kellys Road is crucial transport infrastructure for local businesses and industries to move goods and people throughout the region.
Farmers, graziers, and major industries and employment hubs in the region such as the Callide Mine and the CS Energy power station rely on the road to provide safe access to Biloela.
That safe access was disrupted when massive floods impacted the region in late 2023 and early 2024 causing extensive damage to Kellys Road.
Raging floodwaters from the Don River triggered severe scouring of the road and a partial collapse of the riverbank
Due to the level of damage, which ruled out a quick fix, Banana Shire Council resolved to find a permanent geotechnical solution for the reconstruction of Kellys Road.
Combining a process of streambank stabilisation using rock armouring with geo matting and soil nails to secure the existing bank profile meant the road could retain its existing alignment, without the future prospect of being washed into the Don River.
This $8 million restoration project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements commenced in August 2025 and was completed in October 2025, on time and under budget.
Banana Shire Council’s innovative solution to a complex reconstruction project will deliver safety and connectivity for the local community for years to come.
