Road upgrade to benefit farmers

Primary producers around Chinchilla will benefit from major upgrades to one of the region's main roads.

UPGRADES: Auburn Rd upgrades will allow for heavy vehicle use. Picture: Derek Barry

PRIMARY producers around Chinchilla will benefit from major upgrades to one of the region's main roads.

An upgrade to Auburn Rd has been announced to allow heavy vehicles to access the route.

Auburn Rd cuts through a large agriculture area northwest of Chinchilla but is too narrow in sections for heavy vehicles and road trains to use.

Current restrictions mean primary producers travel hundreds of additional kilometres to access feedlots and saleyards.

The upgrade is a joint initiative between Western Downs Regional Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Councillor Greg Olm said upgrading 36km of AuburnRd would be a major benefit for many primary producers in the region.

"Sections of the road will be widened and other maintenance will be conducted over the coming months.

"This will improve safety on the road for motorists and the local school bus, as well as improving accessibility for primary producers to conduct their business.”

Cr Olm said the AuburnRd upgrade would really benefit the agriculture industry in the Chinchilla region.

"Being able to easily bring heavy vehicles and machinery to your property will be more time-efficient and cost-efficient,” Cr Olm said.

The project will be funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads as well as Western Downs Regional Council's Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme Allocation.