Planning continues for construction of new Kuranda Range Road

The Queensland Government would continue to advance the planning for the four-lane Kuranda Range Road, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.

However, a final decision on the project’s construction timeframe would depend upon a reliable cost estimate being developed and a detailed business case being prepared, he said.

“The recent granting of permits by the Wet Tropics Management Authority has raised some expectation in the community that the new road is about to be built,” he said.

“Those permits allow the Queensland Government to continue with the next stages of the necessary investigation work that is required as part of detailed design and planning processes.

“However, this work could take a number of years to complete.

“We need a detailed design to get a much clearer idea of the real costs involved in four-laning the road.

“At this stage, though, no funding has been allocated for the construction stage of such a project.

“The project itself will need to be prioritized against other road network needs around Cairns.

“This is shaping as a billion-dollar project, and is very definitely a project for the longer term rather than one that we are about to immediately embark on.

“While the survey and design work will now proceed, this does not mean that the construction of the road is about to happen.

“Also, we should not assume that the Tableland will serve primarily as a dormitory suburb of Cairns with commuters travelling the Kuranda Range Road.

“I believe the Tableland has the potential to develop further as a regional economy in its own right – the Far North Queensland 2025 regional planning process should give us a much better handle on the main factors governing when the upgraded road is required.

“My immediate priorities with regard to this road are to improve the safety for motorists through better traffic management and other measures to reduce the risks they now encounter on the existing road, as well as continuing to advance the planning for the new road.

“I have asked the Department of Main Roads to examine what can be done to improve safety in the short term and enhance traffic conditions.

“I expect a report from the department by the end of the year on a comprehensive package of measures to improve safety and reliability on the existing road. That report will form the basis for consultation with the community on the proposed measures.

"Any works that we consider as a result of this process will be done in close liaison with the Wet Tropics Management Authority.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819