$88 million to strengthen crucial access links in regional Queensland

31 July 2025

Fourteen of Queensland's most remote councils will receive funding to deliver critical infrastructure improvements that will improve resilience and connectivity during severe weather.

The Crucial Access Links Program will see an $88 million investment made by the Australian and Queensland Governments, with 15 high-impact projects to be funded.

Under the program, councils will be supported to repair and upgrade key community assets like airstrips, boat ramps, seaports, and access routes. 

These upgrades will ensure communities susceptible to isolation can remain connected and receive essential supplies during natural disasters.

Leveraging relevant Regional Resilience Strategies and Local Resilience Action Plans, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) has worked in close collaboration with councils to identify the successful projects.

The program is fully funded through efficiencies realised under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Initiatives like this highlight governments' shared commitment to build greater resilience in every corner of Queensland, and in turn create a safer and more connected future for all.

The program reflects the importance of proactive, targeted investments in disaster preparation, and leveraging lessons from past events, including the floods of 2025 that swamped much of the north and west.

By strengthening critical access points and transport linkages, the Crucial Access Links Program is ensuring rural and remote communities remain safe, supported and connected in the face of future extreme weather events.

Funded projects include:

  • Balonne Shire Council: St George Aerodrome upgrade - $557,000
  • Bulloo Shire Council: Noccundra Airstrip upgrade - $3.51 million
  • Carpentaria Shire Council: Port of Karumba business case - $550,000
  • Central Highlands Regional Council: Rolleston Airstrip water supply and firefighting appliances - $300,000
  • Douglas Shire Council: Daintree Ferry landing - $8.5 million
  • Etheridge Shire Council: Georgetown Airstrip and Sandy Creek upgrade - $3 million
  • Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council: Everlina Bridge flood immunity upgrade - $5.43 million
  • Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council: Hope Vale Airstrip flood immunity upgrade - $5.13 million
  • Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council: Kowanyama Aerodrome infrastructure rehabilitation - $7.95 million
  • Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council: Lockhart River chlorine dosing and analysing system and self bunded fuel storage tank upgrade - $714,000
  • Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council: Mapoon Airstrip upgrade - $2 million
  • Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council: Northern Peninsula Airport runway upgrade - $18.16 million
  • Quilpie Shire Council: Quilpie Airport upgrade - $11.6 million
  • Richmond Shire Council: Richmond Airstrip upgrade - $13.1 million
  • Torres Strait Island Regional Council: Boigu Island Airport apron upgrade - $7.5 million