General News
3 June, 2026
Palmerston works finally finished
RECONSTRUCTION works, needed after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, have finally been completed on the Palmerston Highway.
Two significant landslips – one where the road sunk two metres and shifted two metres sideways – have been repaired on the key freight route.
The upslope sites, including one that measured 20m high and 75m at its widest point, were stabilised with more than 6500 metres of soil nails – the length of about 60 football fields – along with high tensile mesh and coir netting.
At the downslope landslip, 83 concrete piles measuring up to 19m were installed over 160m.
A capping beam was built on top of the piles to secure them together. It also acts as a retaining wall for the road embankment.
The piles and capping beam used more than 1450 cubic metres of concrete which is enough to fill half an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Damaged sections of rainforest in the road corridor have also been rehabilitated as part of the works which were jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Works under the DRFA are ongoing to repair damage from Cyclone Jasper on other key range roads including the Kuranda Range Road, the Gillies Range Road, the Mossman – Mt Molloy Road, as well as the Captain Cook Highway.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the completion of works on Palmerston Highway was a great benefit to local residents and the transport sector.
“Crews did an amazing job to undertake emergency works in challenging conditions and repaired the road to a trafficable condition just months after its closure, helping keep the economy moving,” she said.
“This critical supply route has now been restored to its pre-disaster function, helping Tablelands primary producers and residents get around the region safely as we get on with the job of supporting recovery from Cyclone Jasper.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the completion of works marked a critical milestone in Far North Queensland’s recovery.
“The Palmerston Highway is a vital connection for the farmers, freight operators and communities of the Atherton Tablelands,” he said.
“This has been a remarkable effort, which saw significant slope repairs occur within a limited road corridor and World Heritage wet rainforest environment, all while keeping traffic moving throughout.”
