Councils welcome Coalition road funding promise

Published on 08 April 2025

The peak body for Queensland councils has welcomed the Coalition’s federal election promise to reinstate the 80:20 federal funding model for nationally significant road projects in regional and remote Australia.

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President, Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Matt Burnett, said the commitment recognised there was an urgent need to upgrade and maintain roads and highways in regional and remote areas of the State.

 “Reinstating the 80-20 funding split is a key ask contained within our Federal Election platform - because it is a key ask of our member councils," Mayor Burnett said.

"We would now like to see a similar commitment from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor.”

LGAQ Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith said the Coalition pledge was a step towards fairer road funding for Queensland councils.

Ms Smith said roads were essential infrastructure in regional, rural and remote areas but councils were shouldering too much of the cost of upgrading and maintaining these vital community assets. 

“Queensland is the most decentralised state with thousands of kilometres of roads and other transport infrastructure that our many communities rely upon heavily,” she said.

 “We very much welcomed the return to an 80-20 funding split for the Bruce Highway from both Labor and the Coalition.

 “Expanding that to all nationally significant roads is the necessary next step, so it is crucial this latest commitment is matched.”

 More information on the LGAQ’s Federal Election campaign can be viewed at: www.dontleaveusinthe70s.com.au.