Councils sound alarm on roads, bridges and water safety

Published on 22 October 2025

New research has confirmed the need for critical funding infrastructure to flow from the Federal and State governments as nearly half of Queensland’s unsealed roads are in poor condition or need repair while dilapidated timber bridges and failing water infrastructure threaten community safety.

The Queensland State of the Assets Report produced for the Local Government Association of Queensland shows an extra $19 billion in funding from the State and Federal governments is needed replace or repair critical community assets in poor condition, function and capacity.

LGAQ President Matt Burnett said councils were managing a growing asset base worth an estimated $178 billion, despite being the least funded level of government.

Mayor Burnett said the landmark report showed the alarming state of Queensland’s ageing asset portfolio and was a clear warning that community safety and liveability are at risk if not addressed in partnership across all levels of government.

As well as close to half of Queensland’s unsealed roads falling short of “good” condition, the research revealed over half of Queensland’s timber bridges needed investment while water and wastewater assets were falling off an “infrastructure cliff”.

Queensland councils have united to call for the State and Federal support they need to manage this complex and growing asset base for their communities – before the risks increase.

A dedicated water and wastewater funding program to protect Queenslander's water supply into the future, an infrastructural renewal framework to better guide reinvestment and policy reform to reduce the impacts of depreciation were among the calls for action endorsed at the 129th Annual Conference on the Gold Coast today.

“Councils want action now, before the risks increase and the task for all levels of government becomes even greater,” Mayor Burnett said.

“Statewide, councils manage an extensive infrastructure portfolio which underpins the economic activity, service delivery and the liveability of communities while collecting just three cents in every dollar of Federal taxation.

“The Queensland State of the Assets Report shows us that despite substantial investment from councils – over $5.2 billion in 2023-24 - State and Federal funding has not kept pace with the needs of communities.

“We are seeing these funding gaps reflected in at-risk asset categories like timber bridges, unsealed roads and water and wastewater assets.”

Further research conducted by the LGAQ showed that roads ranked as the highest priority issue for Queenslanders.

LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said the Queensland State of the Assets Report showed the undeniable need for sustained infrastructure investment and a stronger funding partnership across all levels of government.

“It is not fair that as the Queensland’s asset base grows, and councils continue to be forced to pick up additional services that sit within the remit of State and Federal governments that funding to councils to take on these services has not kept pace,” Ms Smith said.

“Councils manage large asset bases and face significant engineering workforce shortages, particularly in regional and remote areas.

“We’re talking about future proofing assets critical to the daily lives of Queenslanders – protecting our drinking water and keeping our roads safe – and the other levels of government need to step up with the funding to do it.”

Grabs available: Alison Smith LGAQ CEO.

Quotes attributable to mayors:

Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald: “In the Toowoomba Region, our population is growing. It’s increasing by 1.4 per cent - or around 2500 people per year. This puts pressure on our existing assets – but also requires new infrastructure like roads, sewers and water to support growth. Councils have limited ways to raise funds, and we need to keep providing the services that make our community liveable. We need greater State and Federal support to maintain and grow our assets in line with population growth.”

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Kathy Duff: “Guaranteeing safe, affordable and secure drinking water for our community is vital – and we need a statewide plan for ageing, high risk infrastructure to protect it. We need this to be developed in consultation with councils – and councils shouldn’t be competing for money from the State Government to provide this.”  

Carpentaria Shire Council Mayor Jack Bawden: “Untied, flexible and unmatched funding is essential for little shires like ours. Federal funding, like the Local Roads and Community infrastructure Program (LRCIP) drives projects and employment – not to mention what it provides and supports, which is critical infrastructure. If this program isn’t restored, it will have a huge impact on councils and communities like ours.”

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea: “Our assets, like our roads, are the lifeblood of our community. They connect us to our healthcare, connect our workers to homes and loved ones to families. Statewide, sealed and unsealed roads are the highest value asset ranked in ‘poor’ condition in the Queensland State of the Assets Report. A permanent State funding boost to road funding would make our roads safer – and better connect our regions.”

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Mayor Daryl Sexton: ”Water infrastructure challenges are holding us back as a community. Water constraints make it hard for us to provide what our community needs.”