Road maintenance

Hinchinbrook Shire Council is responsible for maintaining the majority of roads and associated infrastructure within the Shire. State‑controlled roads are managed separately by the Queensland Government through the Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

Council‑maintained transport assets include: 

• Sealed and unsealed local roads 

• Road pavements, shoulders and verges 

• Kerb and channel and traffic islands 

• Bridges, guard rails and associated safety infrastructure 

• Signage, line marking and pavement markings 

• Bus shelters and roadside furniture 

• Drainage systems within road corridors 

• Street lighting on Council‑controlled roads 

These assets are managed as an integrated network to support daily travel, freight movement, emergency access and connectivity between communities. 

Local roads experience ongoing wear from traffic volumes, heavy rain, flooding and seasonal weather conditions.

Council undertakes a wide range of maintenance activities to protect road quality and ensure safe conditions for all road users. 

Routine maintenance activities include: 

• Pothole repairs, pavement patching and crack sealing 

• Resealing, resurfacing and minor road renewals 

• Grading of unsealed roads and unsealed shoulders 

• Kerb and channel repairs and renewal 

• Maintenance of bridges, guard rails and traffic islands 

• Street sweeping to support drainage and road safety 

• Installation, maintenance and renewal of signage and line marking 

• Maintenance of bus shelters and roadside assets 

These works help extend the life of the road network while improving safety, ride quality and resilience. 

Street lighting plays an important role in supporting safety for motorists, pedestrians and the wider community. 

Council coordinates the operation and management of public street lighting across the Shire. While Council oversees these services, the maintenance of street lighting faults is carried out by Ergon Energy. 

Reporting street light faults (Ergon Energy): 

• Network enquiries: 13 74 66 (8.30am–4.30pm, Monday–Friday) 

• Faults only: 13 22 96 (24 hours) 

• Life‑threatening electrical emergencies: 000 or 13 16 70 

Requests for new street lighting can be submitted to Council by emailing council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au or calling (07) 4776 4600.

Each request is assessed based on safety need, road usage and location priorities.

Kerb and channel infrastructure plays a key role in road drainage and pavement protection. 

Council maintains approximately 151 kilometres of kerb and channel, commonly referred to as gutters or K&C. This infrastructure captures stormwater runoff from road surfaces and directs it into underground drainage systems. 

Maintenance is undertaken when kerb and channel becomes damaged, fails to drain correctly, or allows water to enter the road pavement. Minor defects may be repaired quickly, while longer sections showing deterioration are typically replaced through planned renewal programs. 

Street sweeping supports this work by preventing debris buildup that can block drainage paths. 

Clear signage and line marking are essential for road safety, navigation and traffic control across the Shire. 

Road signage includes: 

Council provides a network of footpaths and shared pathways to support safe, accessible movement for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The pathway network includes: 

• Concrete and asphalt footpaths in town and urban areas 

• Shared pedestrian and cyclist pathways 

• Boardwalks and off‑road recreational walking tracks 

• Connections to schools, community facilities, parks and essential services 

Unless otherwise signed, footpaths and pathways are shared facilities. 

Footpaths and pathways are primarily located in town centres, residential areas, around schools and community hubs, and along routes connecting neighbourhoods and services. Council continues to plan new pathways where demand, safety and funding allow. 

Bridges, culverts and associated drainage structures are critical components of the Shire’s transport network, particularly during wet weather and flood events and in rural areas where limited routes provide essential access. 

Council’s role includes: 

• Routine inspections and condition monitoring 

• Ongoing maintenance and minor repairs 

• Planning upgrades and replacements 

• Managing load limits and access restrictions 

• Responding to damage following severe weather events 

These assets are managed in line with risk, usage and engineering standards, with priority given to public safety, property access, and maintaining key transport routes.