Safer Flood Detour Delivered for Southside Ahead of Storm Season
Published on 12 January 2026
Southside residents now have a safer and more reliable flood detour, with upgrades to Smerdon, Pritchard and Copp Roads officially complete.
The project wrapped up just in time for the upcoming severe weather season, delivering wider roads along the entire 1 km stretch, upgraded stormwater capacity, and fresh asphalt to help keep Southside moving during heavy rain.
This project was funded through the Emergency Response Fund’s Flood Recovery and Resilience 2021-22 Package, which is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, complementary funding received from the Queensland Government's Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS), and additional funding from developer contributions and Gympie Regional Council.
Gympie Regional Council Mayor, Glen Hartwig said completing this work ahead of the wet season is a significant boost for the community.
“When our region is impacted by heavy rain or flooding, people rely on safe detour routes to stay connected. These improvements mean smoother travel, better drainage and a far more dependable option for Southside residents when the weather turns,” Cr Hartwig said.
“I want to give a big thank you to our Infrastructure Services crews. They’ve put in a huge amount of effort over many months to get this project done and the result really shows. I also want to extend my gratitude to both the State and Federal Governments for their funding support. Without their help, projects like these would simply not happen.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm said the upgraded roads would mean a smoother journey and a safety boost for residents.
“This important work was made possible through the Australian Government’s Flood Recovery and Resilience Package, and we’re committed to delivering more of these projects alongside our state and local government counterparts for regional Queensland,” said Senator Chisholm.
Member for Gympie Tony Perrett MP said it was great to see the project delivered with strong support from the Australian and Queensland Governments.
“When flooding cuts our community off, people need to know there’s a safe way through. These improvements give Southside families more confidence that they can stay connected when the weather turns,” Mr Perrett said.
“I know local crews have moved heaven and earth to get this project across the line ahead of this year’s storm season. Their hard work, proudly supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments, and other funding partners, means the community will have a safer, more dependable route right when we need it most.”
The project included a large amount of on-ground construction, with crews completing:
380 metres of stormwater upgrades; 1,246 metres of kerb and channel; 3,550 tonnes of subbase replacement; 8,800 tonnes of gravel; 13,000 m² of bitumen seal; 405 tonnes of asphalt; 3,500 metres of new line marking; and 3,050 m² of topsoil and turf.