The Shire of Irwin proposes fully closing about 850 metres of Milo Road, Irwin, from 1 February to 30 June 2027, weather permitting, for a river crossing upgrade. The project replaces the low-level Irwin River crossing with concrete box culverts to improve flood resilience and reduce traffic interruptions. Through traffic would use signed detours, and property access would be kept from each side of the worksite. Written submissions on the proposed closure must be received by 5pm on 27 November 2026.
Construction has started on two sections of the Bruce Highway at Gairloch, between Ingham and Cardwell in north Queensland. The Gairloch to Ripple Creek section will be widened and have improved drainage. The Ingham-Halifax-Bemerside Road and Cardwell Range section will also be widened. Both projects aim to improve safety and reduce flood-related closures during the wet season. The works form part of the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, with 18 projects completed so far.
Culvert upgrades east of Kalgoorlie are set to start this weekend as part of a $2.8 billion rail investment program. Crews will replace ageing culverts at three locations between Kalgoorlie and Zanthus to improve drainage and reduce flood damage to the railway. The new reinforced concrete culverts are designed to manage a one in a hundred year flood event, including projected climate change impacts to 2060. Once installed, crews will rebuild the track so freight services can resume. ARTC says it has planned the work around train movements to limit disruption to freight operators.
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The new Hinchcliffe Bridge at Kooralbyn, in the Scenic Rim region of Queensland, has been completed. The dual-lane concrete bridge includes a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists and replaces an older timber structure. The $9.4 million project was funded by the federal government, Urban Utilities and Scenic Rim Regional Council. Officials say the bridge will improve flood resilience and access for the community. The old bridge will stay in place to support sewer infrastructure while the timeframe for its removal is reviewed.
The mayor of Burketown in Queensland says the town's airstrip may need to move to a more flood-resistant site, even after a $27 million upgrade. The Queensland and federal governments funded the work, which raised the airstrip by 400 millimetres. Commercial flights are expected to resume in mid-November after about nine months of repairs, during which the only access was by bus on unreliable dirt roads. Mayor Ernie Camp said he remains worried the airstrip would not survive another flood like the one in 2023. A regional council group said long-term planning is needed to protect air services.
