Roaming Paroo Shire Roads September 2026

Published on 29 September 2026

Hungerford Road DRFA Flood Damage
Our Construction Crew has completed approximately 61.3 km of heavy formation grading on Hungerford Road, with gravel carting continuing in other sections.

The crew has received very positive feedback from TMR on the quality of its work and the progress made. During a site visit, a TMR inspector praised the standard of the road preparation, and TMR engineers provided further positive feedback at a project meeting.

Austek Asphalt Services Pty Ltd is scheduled to seal a small section of Hungerford Road on 29 September 2026. 

DRFA Bullo Development  Road 94A
The Town Maintenance Crew has completed a range of flood damage restoration works along Bulloo Developmental Road. Austek Asphalt Services is scheduled to spray seal a small section of Bulloo Developmental Road (94A) on 29 September 2026.

Jobs Gate Road – Heavy Formation Grading

Great progress is being made on Jobs Gate Road, where the RMPC Crew has completed approximately 15 km of the planned 25 km of heavy formation grading.

The crew’s work is restoring road formation and improving the driving surface for road users. As work continues along the remaining sections, the team remains focused on quality and safety.

Humeburn Road Reseal
The Town Maintenance Crew has completed reseal preparation at various sections along Humeburn Road between CH 0 and CH 118 km. Austek Asphalt Services is scheduled to commence spray sealing on 29 September 2026, subject to weather and site conditions.

Shepherd Project Summary

Paroo Shire Council’s March 2025 REPA Reconstruction Program continues to make good progress, with the majority of reconstruction works across the Northern areas of the Shire now completed and construction continuing across the South West and South East.

The program has reached another important milestone, with gravel production across the Shire expected to be completed by the end of September. Production at Westlea Pit has been completed, with South Plains #2 nearing completion. This will finalise the major gravel production component of the current program and ensure the remaining material is available to support reconstruction works across the South East.

With Northern construction substantially complete, the project team is now shifting its focus toward final inspections, gravel pit testing, completion documentation and acquittal of the Northern submissions. Construction resources will continue to progress through the South West and South East, with the remaining contractor packages scheduled to commence in November.

Council has also received confirmation of activation for a further disaster event associated with rainfall and flooding between December 2025 and April 2026. Damage assessments have commenced, with additional resources being scheduled to support the development of new reconstruction funding submissions while delivery of the existing March 2025 program continues.

Construction Progress

Northern Reconstruction Works
Reconstruction across the Northern areas of the Shire is now substantially complete, with contractors finalising the remaining works and progressing through completion and close out requirements.

• Russell Grader Hire has completed its remaining reconstruction works on Elmina, Humeburn and Yerrel Roads.
• Tuckwell Contracting has completed its North East package and is finalising the outstanding culvert reconstruction on Nancy Bird Walton Way before returning to Eulo Toompine Road to complete its remaining North West works.
• Schmidt Contracting and Schmidt Plant Hire have completed their respective Northern packages and have transitioned into the South West delivery program.

South West Reconstruction Works
Construction across the South West is progressing well, with both contractor packages now underway.

• Schmidt Plant Hire has completed reconstruction works on Ningaling and Warden Roads and is currently progressing works on Weira Park Road.
• Schmidt Contracting has completed reconstruction works on Neverfail and Terraldon Roads and continues working on Rockwell Road.

Schmidt Contracting grading Rockwell Road. 

Works being done on Terraldon Road.

Both contractors will continue progressing through their remaining allocated roads in accordance with their construction programs.

South East Reconstruction Works

• Council crews are continuing reconstruction works across the South East, with works underway on Jobs Gate Road and reconstruction commenced on Talbarea Road following gravel haulage from Westlea Pit.
• The remaining two South East contractor packages are progressing through the tender and award process. Tenders closed on 23 September, with evaluations scheduled for 30 September. The recommended contract awards are planned to be presented at the 13 October Council Meeting, with both packages currently programmed to commence on 2 November 2026.

These works will form a major component of the remaining reconstruction program and will be coordinated alongside Council's own delivery activities.

Gravel Production and Material Testing
Gravel production across the Shire is nearing completion, with the final production activities concentrated at South Plains #2 following the completion of Westlea Pit. The completion of gravel production will allow resources to be increasingly directed toward reconstruction, quality assurance and finalisation of completed works.

Council has also arranged further testing of gravel pits across the Shire that produced 10,000 tonnes or more during the current program. Testing will include density and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing, along with further investigation into the material available within each pit.

This work will provide Council with a better understanding of the gravel resources available across the Shire and assist with planning for future flood recovery programs, road maintenance and other Council infrastructure works and is totally funded by QRA.

Project Inspections and Close Out
With Northern reconstruction now substantially complete, the project team is progressing toward the formal close out and acquittal of the Northern submissions. This process includes final inspections, verification of completed reconstruction works, gravel pit testing and the collation of supporting construction records and documentation.

Once these requirements have been completed, the Northern submissions can progress through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority's acquittal process, allowing the applicable retention amounts to be released to Council. Close out activities will then progressively move through the South West and South East as reconstruction works are completed.

New Disaster Event Activation – December 2025 to April 2026
Paroo Shire Council has now been activated for a further disaster event, covering the rainfall and flooding associated with the Queensland Monsoon Trough, Cyclone Koji, Cyclone Narelle and Severe Weather event, 24 December 2025 – 24 April 2026.

This activation will allow Council to progress damage assessments and develop new Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets (REPA) submissions for eligible damage sustained across the Shire's road network during this event.

The project team has commenced damage inspections across the Northwest of the Shire, with additional resources being scheduled to assist with identifying, assessing and documenting damage across the broader road network.

The event resulted in widespread rainfall and flooding across the Shire, with a number of roads experiencing extended closures and restricted access.  Some areas, particularly in the North West, experienced prolonged access difficulties, affecting residents, landholders and their ability to travel to town and access essential services.

The current assessment program will identify the extent of damage to Council's road infrastructure and establish the reconstruction works required to restore affected roads to their pre-disaster condition.

These assessments will form the basis of new funding submissions to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, supporting Council's ongoing efforts to restore flood-damaged roads and maintain safe and reliable access across the Shire.

The new event will be managed alongside the existing March 2025 REPA Reconstruction Program, ensuring construction delivery continues while assessments and submission development progress for the newly activated event.

Looking Ahead
Over the coming months, the program will focus on completing the remaining Northern works, progressing South West construction and preparing for the commencement of the final South East contractor packages in November.

The completion of gravel production and the transition of Northern works into close out represent important milestones for the March 2025 program, allowing Council and the project team to concentrate resources on delivering the remaining reconstruction works.

At the same time, the newly activated December 2025 to April 2026 event will see damage assessments continue across the Shire, with the information collected progressively developed into new REPA submissions for assessment and funding approval.

Council remains focused on restoring its flood-damaged road network, maintaining access for residents and road users, and progressing both recovery programs in accordance with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority's funding and delivery requirements.