Roaming the Paroo Shire’s Roads

Published on 05 December 2025

Flood restoration funding from the Federal Government is supporting ongoing repairs along the Bollon–Charleville Road. Council has now completed 40 km of road repairs with the remaining 20 km to be finalised before Christmas, ensuring the route is restored and safe for the community as soon as possible.

The Jobs Gate Road (TIDS Project) is jointly funded by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Paroo Shire Council. Works involve reconstructing the existing gravel pavement at the western end of Jobs Gate Road. Once pavement construction is complete, this section will be sealed as part of Council’s long-term objective to deliver an all-weather sealed route that links with Brewarrina Shire’s sealing program. The road crew is currently camped at Bundaleer, undertaking gravel winning, haulage activities, and supporting two new floodway constructions being delivered by local contractors.

To date, 4 km of the 8 km package has been sealed. The remaining 4 km is planned to be sealed before the Christmas shutdown, with 3.3 km currently in formation stage and progressing well toward the scheduled sealing completion date.

Works are progressing well at the Wyandra camp establishment site. Recent activities include earthworks and site levelling, sewer pit excavation, pier and footing installation, electrical trenching, and concrete slab installation.

What’s happening and where is SHEPHERD working?

The March 2025 Paroo Flood Restoration Program has now fully progressed into the delivery phase, with works moving from planning and assessment into active reconstruction across the Shire. Over the past month, significant progress has been achieved in approvals, damage assessments, procurement, mobilisation, and site set out.

SHEPHERD secured two additional QRA submission approvals this month, bringing the total approved value to over $56 million. These approvals build on previously endorsed submissions and will support an expanded delivery of reconstruction works across multiple quadrants. Further submissions remain under review, including one in the Southeast and the Eulo and Cunnamulla levee walls, with approvals expected in the coming weeks.

Damage assessments across the Shire are now almost complete. The only outstanding area is on Moruya Narran Road (Ch 11–11.3), where receding floodwaters continue to restrict access. To maintain program momentum, SHEPHERD inspectors accessed the surrounding network via a local landholder and successfully assessed all eligible damage on the opposite side. The remaining assessment will be completed as soon as conditions allow.

Elmina Road (beyond Ch 73) has now been fully assessed. Emergent holding works were completed at Ch 73 on 22 November, ensuring the road is now safe and trafficable for the community.

Contractors appointed through the Gravel Procurement Panel have commenced gravel production in the Northwest Quadrant. Site set out and preparation are now well underway, supporting mobilisation for the next sequence of delivery packages.

Current Works by Quadrant

• Northwest: Three contractors are actively producing gravel, with site set out complete to support upcoming reconstruction works.
• Northeast: Site set out and preparation continue ahead of delivery sequencing.
• Southwest: Site set out is scheduled to begin shortly across approved projects.
• Southeast: Awaiting final QRA approvals; procurement and preparation are complete and ready for delivery commencement.

RACAS® Damage Capture Support
SHEPHERD continues to support Council with RACAS® (Road Asset Condition Assessment System) surveys to capture evidence of infrastructure damage from the March 2025 event and future activations. RACAS® collects high-resolution images every 10 metres, GPS coordinates and road roughness data. If you see SHEPHERD’s RACAS® Road Survey Vehicle out on the network, be sure to give them a wave!

To view Paroo Shire's most current road report, click Here