Despite Queensland borders remaining closed, the Hebel-Goodooga Road will reopen at 2pm today in an effort to assist grain harvesters attempting to move throughout the region.
Essential workers and border zone residents with the appropriate passes will now be able to travel into the Balonne Shire after being directed to the Hebel border checkpoint at the intersection of the Castlereagh Highway and William Street.
The Balonne Shire Council recently completed upgrades to the Hebel-Goodooga road to allow for safer heavy vehicle access after being granted funds from the Queensland Government Transport and Infrastructure Development Scheme and the Australian Government NHVR Safety and Productivity Programme.
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Balonne Shire mayor Samantha O'Toole said that the reopening of the upgraded road will greatly assist the productivity of local growers.
"Grain harvest is in full swing at the moment, and there is a lot of machinery and harvest workers moving around," she said.
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"Council has been assisting growers in navigating border regulations to ensure harvest workers are COVID-safe, and we are glad this route has opened to allow growers in the southern areas of our Shire to transport grain to depots at Noondoo, Thallon and beyond while remaining on a bitumen road network."
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