General News
17 September, 2025
More sealing for Ootann
MORE than five kilometres of the Ootann Road will be widened and sealed under new funding.
Mareeba Shire is among 22 regional councils receiving a share of $100 million in road upgrades to improve safety and protect vital transport links.
Member for Cook David Kempton said the projects were being delivered under the Country Roads Connect Program, which focuses on upgrading unsealed roads to support communities and businesses across regional towns.
“This project will see 5.2km of Ootann Road sealed and widened, including 3.2km from the approach to Soda Creek through to Four Mile Creek, and a further 2km from Soda Creek connecting to the section upgraded under the Australian Government’s Beef Roads Program in 2019,” he said.
“Ootann is a critical transport link between the northern region and the south and has been considered for years as a viable alternative to the Bruce Highway, especially in times of flooding.”
Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin welcomed the funding and the impact it will have on the shire.
“Ootann Road is a rural arterial road over 90km in length with a significant portion still unsealed, which presents issues with flood resilience and traffic capacity,” she said.
“It is a critical connection for established and emerging industries and serves as a shortcut in Northern Australia, saving hundreds of kilometres of extra travel if people need to go via alternative routes.
“Sealing and widening this 5.2km section of Ootann Road will help future-proof this vital transport route.”
