The department is moving into the reconstruction phase of the Tropical Cyclone Jasper recovery. This event in December 2023 caused severe damage to the state-controlled road network due to record rainfall.
Landslips occurred on all 4 range roads between Cairns and the Tablelands (Palmerston Highway, Gillies Range Road, Kuranda Range Road and Mossman–Mount Molloy Road), along with the Captain Cook Highway and Shiptons Flat Road.
We have completed emergency works and critical slope stabilisation to enable key routes to remain open while further repairs are designed and constructed.
Disaster recovery will be a long-term process, involving an extensive program of works and complex solutions for multiple range roads that wind through World Heritage rainforest areas.
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Contracts have been awarded for works on roads identified as requiring the highest priority reconstruction across Far North Queensland.
These include:
Reconstruction works have commenced on Kuranda Range Road, Palmerston Highway and Captain Cook Highway.
Work on other priority routes is expected to commence in early 2025, weather and site conditions permitting.
Due to the unpredictability and variable intensity of weather events, no road can be guaranteed to withstand a natural disaster.
During Tropical Cyclone Jasper, areas that were remediated due to past weather events remained intact, with no damage or failures observed.
Proactive slope management works are very effective in improving resilience along the state-controlled road network.
We are working closely with environmental authorities to ensure that works within sensitive and unique environments are appropriately managed and closely monitored.
We recognise that this environment is of a high quality and is relatively undisturbed.
We will minimise the disturbance footprint of the works to the greatest extent possible. All unavoidable vegetation clearing will be inspected prior to works and supervised.
Rehabilitation programs are being designed for all areas that are disturbed within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Changed traffic conditions including reduced speed limits, single lane closures and manual and long-term traffic control will be in place for the duration of the works.
For specific works or the movement of equipment, hard road closures may be required for the safety of road workers and road users.
We will provide advance warning prior to any closures.
Information on the latest traffic conditions will be available by phoning 13 19 40, or by visiting QLDTraffic on www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.
Last updated: 14 January 2025
The department is working on about 1100 projects to restore roads across Queensland damaged by floods and bushfires. The department is also reconnecting communities and supporting regional economic recovery after disaster events damaged the state-controlled road network in 2020–25.
Reconstruction works are underway at locations on Kuranda Range Road damaged during Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
