Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to funding work to seal the remaining 11km of the Kennedy Developmental Rd (Hann Highway).

Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said the long-awaited investment would ensure a reliable inland alternative to the Bruce Highway during times of crisis.

“This funding is the result of strong advocacy and collaboration,” Cr Peddle said.

“I sincerely thank the Prime Minister, The Hon. Bob Katter MP, The Hon. Robbie Katter MP, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, Advance Cairns, my friends and colleagues John Wharton and Barry Hughes, key stakeholders, and our neighbouring shires for championing the importance of this project.

“The Kennedy Developmental Rd is a vital link for North and North-West Queensland, and this upgrade will deliver lasting benefits for transport, emergency response, and economic development.

“This announcement also reinforces the value of partnerships and the power of working together across all levels of government and industry.

“By investing in critical infrastructure, we are building a stronger, more connected future for our region, and putting Queensland on the global stage as an economic powerhouse.”

After Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter raised the issue in Parliament yesterday, Mr Albanese described the situation with the last stretch of dirt road on the route, between Conjuboy and Hughenden, as a great example of something that needed to be done better.

Related: Flooding fuels push for inland highway fix

“We will fix it – we have funding provided for it and that will be fixed,” he said.

“Just like, I’ve spoken with the premier about making sure that we don’t just build what was there again in the same form (post flooding), that we build back better.

“Just like in the Member for Kennedy’s electorate, as he would remember, he made representations about the Einasleigh River Bridge so that Karumba and Normanton in his electorate were not cut off.

“We built back better through the council, and not only did they do that under the $31 million budget … an additional three bridges were built as a result of using that local labor because they know what they’re doing and they use local suppliers as well.

“I’ll state with the premier about the same approach to make sure that the bureaucrats in either the capital city here or the capital city in Queensland listen to people on the ground, particularly the people in local government. Because that is how you get things done. The Kennedy Development Rd, I assure you, will be done.”

The State and Federal governments have announced $100 million in grants for flood-affected primary producers, small businesses, and selected charity agencies across North Queensland.

This funding represents the next round of disaster assistance activated by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments to support recovery and resilience in communities impacted by recent flooding.

The package includes:

• $72.7 million grants package for flood-affected primary producers in North Queensland.
• $25 million grants package for small businesses and not-for-profit agencies impacted by the North Queensland floods.
• $2.4 million Rural Landholder Grants for owners or lessees of at least 10ha of flood-affected land.
• $1 million Emergency Fodder Support for eligible primary producers.

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