Council invests in road maintenance capability
Published on 07 July 2026
Gympie Regional Council is continuing to strengthen its road maintenance and operational capacity through ongoing investment aimed at improving service delivery and value for money.
Council invests on average $11 million annually into the maintenance of its road network, which spans more than 2,200 kilometres – about the same distance as driving from Gympie to Adelaide.
This extensive network includes around 1,300 kilometres of sealed roads and 900 kilometres of unsealed roads.
Over recent years, Council has increased its internal delivery capability to improve responsiveness and ensure consistent service levels for the community. The investment supports Council’s ability to deliver planned maintenance programs while also responding to customer requests, severe weather events and emerging network issues.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said maintaining the road network was one of Council’s most important ongoing responsibilities, and continued investment in service capacity ensured Council can meet community expectations.
“We’ve listened to the community and continued to invest in the crews, equipment and systems needed to keep up with demand,” he said.
“Roads are a core service, and people rightly expect them to be maintained safely and reliably.
“Council has increased its operational capacity through a range of service improvements, including expanding the grader fleet from three to five machines, which represents a more than 65 per cent increase in capacity.
A dedicated Rapid Response Crew has also been established to address immediate hazards and emerging safety issues across the network.
Mayor Hartwig said the investments are about strengthening council’s ability to look after its vast road network day to day.
“These investments mean council can respond faster when issues arise, keep up with routine maintenance across the region, and recover more effectively after severe weather events,” he said.
“Our teams are committed to continuously improving service delivery, including updating systems and processes to streamline how customer requests are managed and responded to.
“It’s about making sure the basics are done well and consistently across the entire region.”
Council has also introduced an additional pothole patching crew to improve the delivery of sealed road maintenance activities, and a drainage crew focused on improving drainage infrastructure and reducing water-related road damage.
These improvements have strengthened Council’s ability to deliver both proactive maintenance and reactive works, particularly during and following extreme weather events.