The Federal Government has announced further funding this morning to help develop roads in Northern Australia.

Road projects to be rolled out across Northern Australia include:

• $30 million in the Northern Territory as part of the Northern Australia Beef Roads Program;
• $56 million will be invested in key beef roads in Queensland as part of the Northern Australia Beef Roads Program;
• $12.51 million will be invested in Western Australia as part of the Northern Australia Beef Roads Program;
• $32 million is being invested in Northern Territory as part of the Northern Australia Roads Program;
• More than $80 million is being invested in Queensland as part of the Northern Australia Roads Program; and
• More than $175 million is being invested in Western Australia as part of the Northern Australia Roads Program.

Cattle Council chief executive officer Jed Matz said the news was a win for producers in the northern and remote regions of the country.

“Many producers in Northern Australia are forced to use sub-standard road networks to get to their nearest town or transport livestock,” Mr Matz said.

He said Cattle Council had repeatedly called for increased investment in road infrastructure, which was needed to make the beef industry more competitive.

“Inadequate road systems cause delays for producers and can cause stress on livestock,” he said.

“Transport inefficiencies can cost producers up to 40 per cent of the price received.

“Upgraded roads will alleviate the cost burden on producers caused by second-rate road infrastructure and benefit the whole supply chain.”

Producers across the northern parts of Australia are required to transport cattle for long distances to access processing plants or export facilities, impacting on their profitability.

AgForce cattle president Bim Struss said Queensland transported the largest volume of cattle in Australia by road over long distances for supply to markets, feedlots, sale yards, abattoirs and ports, so funding for improved transport networks was warmly welcomed.

“Queensland is home to about half of Australia’s cattle herd and employs about 20,000 Queenslanders so an investment in the industry is an investment in the state’s future,” he said.

“The Federal Government’s commitment of $56 million for 15 beef road projects and more than $82 million to upgrade four major regional Queensland roads will provide a massive boost to the Queensland cattle industry by reducing transport costs and improving safety on key routes.

“We are particularly excited to see $20 million for road upgrades between the Gracemere saleyards and the Rockhampton abattoirs to provide access for Type 1 road trains, which builds on the Queensland Government’s $10 million commitment for stage 1 of this project.

“Transport is a major cost for cattle producers making up about 40 per cent of the market price and this upgrade improves one of the state’s biggest bottlenecks, delivering better truck access into Australia’s beef capital.

“It will not only improve productivity but also improve animal welfare and driver safety, reducing fatigue.

“We thank the Federal Government for its funding commitment towards upgrading key beef and north Queensland roads, and look forward to work starting as soon as possible.”