Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road upgrades
Upgrades to this key arterial road in the Whitsunday Region include flood immunity improvements at Hamilton Plains and a capacity upgrade between Paluma Road and Valley Drive in Cannonvale.
Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road serves as the sole connection between the Bruce Highway, and Proserpine to the Whitsunday townships of Cannonvale, Airlie Beach, Jubilee Pocket and the port of Shute Harbour. The road travels through Hamilton Plains, a low-lying floodplain prone to flooding. Following wet weather, the road is often closed.
The Hamilton Plains upgrade will improve flood immunity to a section of road by raising the road levels and increasing culvert capacity. These improvements will allow flood waters to drain more efficiently, reducing the frequency and duration of road closures caused by heavy rainfall. This project will deliver greater reliability and accessibility for the community, minimising disruptions during wet weather events.
The capacity upgrade between Paluma Road and Valley Drive includes duplication to four lanes of Proserpine – Shute Harbour Road from Paluma Road to Valley Drive, and intersection improvements at Paluma Road, and William Murray Drive. The project will be delivered with the Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road, Valley Drive (Cannonvale), capacity upgrades project.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Improves network efficiency
- Improves flood immunity
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
- Improves network reliability
- Improves network resilience
Key features
- Upgrade a section of Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road from the Bruce Highway to south of the Strathdickie Road intersection.
- Raise the level of the road to improve flood resilience.
- Install larger culverts and improved table drains to facilitate better drainage.
- Widen the existing road and shoulders with new wide centre line treatment.
- The capacity upgrade project includes duplication to four lanes of Proserpine–Shute Harbour Road from Paluma Road to Valley Drive.
- Intersection improvements at Paluma Road, and William Murray Drive.
Funding
This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
Investment ID: 1198985
Current status
Pre-construction activities for the Hamilton Plains flood immunity upgrade, including civil infrastructure works to improve drainage in the road corridor and relocation of an existing bore are complete. Construction of the Hamilton Plains upgrade work commenced in October 2025.
Detailed design is underway for the capacity upgrade between Paluma Road and Valley Drive, Cannonvale. Early works, including public utility plant relocations are in progress.
Proserpine – Shute Harbour Road, Hamilton Plains, flood immunity upgrade project map
Proserpine – Shute Harbour Road, Paluma Road to Valley Drive, duplicate to four lanes project map
