Mount Spec Road rebuild to reconnect North Queensland communities

Major reconstruction works have commenced on Mount Spec Road, promising safer and more reliable access for locals, businesses, and visitors to North Queensland’s picturesque Paluma region.

The upgrades will address significant damage caused by extreme rainfall and flooding in February 2025, which resulted in the road’s closure following more than 60 landslips along the route. 

A more resilient Mount Spec Road will benefit local communities who rely on a steady flow of tourists for their livelihoods, by ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to this Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, north-west of Townsville. 

The upgraded road will also minimise risks of additional damage during the upcoming wet season, allowing travel to continue with minimal disruptions.

Highly specialised expertise and equipment will be required for the work due to the significant scale of the damage and the complex nature of the repairs.

Initial works will focus on reducing risks at two high-priority sites, enabling the removal of the restricted access permit system that has been in place since the road was closed.

Other work will include controlled blasting to remove a large boulder near Little Crystal Creek, geotechnical stabilisation, and landscaping to help restore the road to its original function and appearance.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is working with the contractor to minimise disruptions to the local community during the works. 

Single-lane access will be maintained during reconstruction from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm wherever possible, with safety measures in place to minimise community impact. 

The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This project demonstrates the Queensland Government’s commitment to restoring vital infrastructure and building long-term resilience across disaster-affected areas.