Community & Business
25 June, 2023
Funds for crossing
A critical crossing along the Dunbar Koolatah Road in the Cape that has been closed since December is set to be restored after Carpentaria Shire Council received $22 million for its repair.
A critical crossing along the Dunbar Koolatah Road in the Cape that has been closed since December is set to be restored after Carpentaria Shire Council received $22 million for its repair.
The Mitchell River Crossing is crucial for tourist traffic and community connectivity to north-west Queensland as it links rural properties between Koolatah and Maramie to business centres such as Normanton and Mareeba.
The existing damaged bedlevel crossing has been closed throughout 2023 due to high water levels and extensive flood damage in the aftermath of the severe monsoon event.
The closure has severely impacted freight in the region, particularly livestock transport that currently needs to deviate more than three hours. To combat this and begin repairs on the crossing, both the State and Federal Governments have joined forces to provide funding through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Carpentaria Shire Council Mayor Jack Bawden said the funding was a “game-changer” for people living in and travelling through the region.
“The level of funding provided through DRFA will ensure a new crossing will be constructed that will allow road movements to continue much earlier than has occurred in past years,” he said.
