The Gillies Range Road was one of 4 key range crossings between Cairns and the Tablelands damaged by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Reconstruction works have been carefully coordinated across all 4 range roads between Cairns and the Tablelands to minimise traffic disruptions and ensure safe, reliable access for road users across the region.
The Queensland Government prioritised emergency repairs shortly after the cyclone to allow Gillies Range Road to reopen to 2 lanes, while planning for long-term reconstruction work was carried out. In the 12 months following the emergency works, we conducted surveys, geotechnical inspections, planning, detailed design, and engaged contractors for complex works.
There are 19 sites requiring reconstruction on the 56km-section of the Gillies Range Road, including 14 up or down slopes. Works will include major and minor slope rectification and permanent geotechnical and erosion control treatments to reinstate the road to its pre-disaster function. Key stabilisation measures include:
Additional works will include resurfacing damaged sections of the road, repairing culverts, restoring drainage systems, and replacing or fixing road signs and barriers.
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Investment ID: 3059363
Investment ID: 3059345
The contract for the reconstruction works has been awarded to Koppen Development Pty Ltd.
Slope reconstruction works are scheduled to commence in mid-February 2026, site and weather conditions permitting.
Reconstruction of 2 downslope landslips near Lake Barrine is now complete.
Changed traffic conditions including reduced speed limits, single-lane closures and traffic control will be in place for the duration of the works.
Full road closures may be required for the safety of road workers and road users for specific works or the movement of equipment.
We prefer roads to remain open where possible and will regularly review the scope of works to facilitate this where safe to do so.
For up-to-date traffic and travel information on road conditions, incidents, vehicle crashes, roadworks and route information updates visit QLDTraffic.
Last updated: 27 March 2026
The department is working on about 1300 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 2020–26.
Significant progress has been made in restoring roads damaged by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.
The cyclone caused severe damage to the state-controlled road network due to record rainfall.
