CRITICAL WARREGO HIGHWAY UPGRADES
DRIVING CONNECTIVITY, DELIVERING THE FUTURE
THE WARREGO HIGHWAY
THE ROAD TO QUEENSLAND’S RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION
The Australian Government must increase funding for asset renewals and sustainable asset management to upgrade aging road infrastructure to improve the condition of the Warrego Highway through the Western Downs.
The Western Downs is the Energy Capital of Queensland, powering more than two million Australians every day and contributing more than $5.9 billion to Queensland’s GRP.
The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan designates the Western Downs region as a pivotal location in the Southern Renewable Energy Zone. As the single National arterial route through the region, the Warrego Highway is driving the first phase of development and the state’s renewable energy transition.
The Western Downs has a diversified energy portfolio with
thermal coal, gas, wind, solar, and a hydrogen production trial underway. The region is leading the way in renewables to support the nation’s renewable energy transition and the Warrego Highway is the crucial link.
A vital freight network supporting the Queensland economy, the Warrego Highway requires increased and ongoing investment from the Australian Government to support the nation’s renewable energy transition. The Western Downs, and Queensland, requires a contemporary, safe, and wellmaintained National Highway to enable the growing heavy freight task through the region.
WESTERN DOWNS REGION
Development in the Pipeline in 2024 $7.5B
Contributed to Qld’s GRP $5.9B of National Feedlot Occupancy within 200km radius of Dalby 42%
60 feedlots
25 piggeries
34,991 unique communities
Coal Gas Battery Wind Solar + Hydrogen Pilot Project
20 population ENERGY CAPITAL OF QLD
THE ASK
Increased Federal funding for asset renewals to upgrade aging road infrastructure to improve the condition, safety, and productivity of the Warrego Highway.
The Warrego Highway through the Western Downs is one of the busiest roads for heavy vehicle access in Queensland. The Warrego Highway is an essential thoroughfare for more than $11.52 billion in freight and commodities each year.
In the Western Downs alone, the backlog of maintenance works on the Warrego Highway was $4.9 million, with the value of urgent safety repairs currently at $2.1 million. However, Federal funding for maintenance in 2024/25 of the road is currently limited to just $1.45 million.
While the increase to RTR funding is significant and welcomeunfortunately, it’s not enough.
Current Federal funding falls well short of the value of urgent safety repairs required and does not address the critical need for asset renewals. This will result in a future exponential increase in funding required to maintain the road in a safe condition.
WARREGO HIGHWAY
185.7km $11.52B
freight value through the Western Downs on the Warrego Highway annually
97,468+
road trains and trailers annually
THE WARREGO HIGHWAY THE VITAL LINK FOR QUEENSLAND’S ECONOMY
The Warrego Highway is Queensland’s principal east-west freight route moving over $19 billion in freight annually.* The 185.7km stretch of the Warrego Highway that runs through the Western Downs is the gateway to Western Queensland and connects Darwin and Central Queensland to the Port of Brisbane.
More than 97,468 road trains and freight trailers use the Warrego Highway to pass through the Western Downs regional town centres of Dalby, Chinchilla, and Miles every year. The combined value of cargo on the Warrego Highway through the Western Downs exceeds $11.52 billion annually.*
However, the Western Downs section of the Warrego Highway falls below modern safety standards. The highway continues to experience low flood resilience and flood related closures, combined with road accidents, which significantly impact freight efficiency. Feasible alternative routes are not available.
Even with modest funding being directed to the Warrego Highway over many years, consistent rain and flooding events, combined with significant increases in heavy vehicle traffic, has resulted in dangerous potholes and other surface damage.
The Warrego Highway is integral to the day-to-day functioning of the national economy, connecting critical industries to supply chains and markets.
* traNSIT Web 2024
CHINCHILLA
THE WESTERN DOWNS SECTION OF THE WARREGO HIGHWAY IS THE $11.52 BILLION FREIGHT LINK FOR QUEENSLAND. THE OUTPUT CAPABILITY OF OUR AGRICULTURE, INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURING, AND ENERGY SECTORS CANNOT REACH TRUE POTENTIAL WITHOUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WARREGO HIGHWAY ASSET RENEWALS.
WARREGO HIGHWAY SHORTFALLS
$2.1M
URGENT Safety Repairs Backlog
$4.9M Maintenance Backlog
$1.45M RMP funding
THE WESTERN DOWNS IS POWERING THE NATION - FEEDING THE NATION - CLOTHING THE NATION
CONTACT US
For more information on Western Downs Regional Council’s advocacy for increased funding for the Warrego Highway and State-controlled roads, please contact:
ANDREW SMITH Mayor
Western Downs Regional Council 0438 755 896 andrew.smith@wdrc.qld.gov.au
JODIE
TAYLOR
Chief Executive Officer
Western Downs Regional Council 0407 961 496
jodie.taylor@wdrc.qld.gov.au