Kuranda Range Road alternative route study supported by Barron River MP, rejected by federal govt

A Far North MP has warned against developing a business case for a new Tablelands route, insisting funds should be allocated towards a study instead, with those calls rejected by the federal government as a new administrative battle emerges.

Federal minister Murray Watt has ruled out funding to study alternative Tablelands routes, while Barron River MP Craig Crawford (left) says it “has to happen”.

A federal minister’s rejection of a $22m study into new routes between Cairns and the Northern Tablelands has been met with a swift rebuke from Far North leaders, declaring the project “has to happen” soon.

But the Member for Barron River Craig Crawford, who is supportive of a study into alternate routes, has warned against commissioning a business case to improve the region’s road network, claiming an economic argument for the project would most likely fail.

Following a visit to Cairns last week, federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt ruled out funding to study alternative Tablelands routes, insisting his government was instead focused on “improving the resilience” of current thoroughfares, including the Kuranda Range Rd.

“Yeah, not at this point in time,” Mr Watt said when asked about funding the proposed alternative route study.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter, Hill MP Shane Knuth, federal emergency management and agriculture minister Murray Watt and trucking company boss Les Blennerhassett of Blenners inspect damage to the Palmerston Hwy following heavy rainfall in the Far North in December 2023.

“You can’t just kind of commit to do something without a proper business case, and we’d require that before we’d make any further investment.

“So the commitment we’ve made is to upgrade Kuranda Range Rd.

“But if the Queensland Government were to come to us wanting to prepare a business case for alternative freight routes, we’d obviously consider that.”

It comes after Mr Watt attended the Global Food Forum in Brisbane last week where Independent Food Distributors chief executive Richard Forbes warned Australia’s supply chains were at risk of collapsing in a disaster.

Damage to the Palmerston Hwy, near Crawfords Lookout, caused by intense rainfall following Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.

But exploring alternative routes, including the proposed Redicliffe Highway, or a private road north of Cairns, should be considered, Mr Crawford said.

“The study has to happen irrespective of who pays for it,” he said.

“There’s no doubt that it needs to be commissioned and sorted out.

“But this isn’t about a business case. It’s about determining whether there are other corridors worth exploring.”

Rather than relying on a financial argument to lobby for further works, Mr Crawford said harnessing political will and community sentiment would be crucial to getting any future project approved.

The Queensland Government has announced $450 million to fund a new bridge for the Kennedy Highway over the Barron River near the Tablelands town of Kuranda. The new bridge is due to be completed in 2031. Barron River MP Craig Crawford and Queensland Premier Steven Miles made the announcement on the banks of the Barron River at Kuranda. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We have to be careful because a business case will purely look at the economics of what you pay and what the benefits are,” he said.

“Purely on the economics, I don’t think a business case would get (the project) over the line.

“But there are plenty of projects that are made from a political perspective, where it’s considered the right thing to do.

“Because all the economists will say ‘you’re not going to get your money back.’ That’s where the politicians say, ‘Thank you for your input. We’re still going to do it’.”

Aerial view of the Kennedy Highway snaking through World Heritage listed rainforest up the McAllister Range. This section of the highway is commonly referred to as the Kuranda Range Road, and is the main transport route from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands, west to the Gulf and north to Cape York. Thousands of cars, tourist coaches and trucks traverse the Kuranda Range Road each day. The route can be hazardous in wet weather, with the roadway becoming slippery and trees and rocks commonly falling over the road. Picture: Brendan Radke

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan said her organisation alongside FNQROC would lobby both levels of government for the study, noting the problem with current routes “were only getting worse”.

“What we want is $22m from the joint pool between the state and federal governments – so that’s a total of $262m,” she said.

“So we think there are ample funds available, yes the upgrades to the Kuranda Range are important but there are ample funds to study a new route which is now critical; this isn’t a problem that’s going away.”

Originally published as Kuranda Range Road alternative route study supported by Barron River MP, rejected by federal govt