TWO of Rockhampton's biggest infrastructure projects have been identified as having strong potential for Commonwealth support in the government's Agriculture White Paper, released on Saturday.

Rookwood and Eden Bann weir projects were mentioned in the document, and Senator Matt Canavan said with the EIS the proposals almost complete he'd like to see construction begin as soon as possible.

However, he said this is contingent on state government support.

"If it takes us two years that's too long," he said.

"Hopefully within the next year we can get an indication from the state government … and start construction."

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When Agricultural Minister Bill Byrne was approached for comment about this, he refused to make any further statements and referred us back to his media release.

In that release, he said there was a "gaping silence" on the role of the state government.

"It is clear throughout the paper there has been a lack of consultation with states and territories prior to this announcement as a large percentage of initiatives still require state government input and financial backing," he said.

"Further, much of this paper appears to have no detailed implementation plan, no set deliverables and no set timeframes, which means in 10 years' time our industry could be left in no better position."

In the White Paper the government says it will establish a National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, which includes $450 million to construct water infrastructure in partnership with State and Territory governments and industry.

They also announced a $100 million Northern Australia Beef Roads Fund to improve cattle supply chains and $600 million for projects on key roads in northern Australia.

Senator Canavan said this funding will be guided by a tool developed by the CSIRO, called TRANSIT.

For $1 million this will be expanded to identify where they can optimise the supply chain and future infrastructure investments.

Senator Canavan said this may include the route from Gracemere sale yards to Rockhampton meatworks, if it is shown to help reduce the most costs to the beef industry.

TRANSIT has estimated that, for the 1.6 million cattle transported between Clermont and Roma in 2007 to 2011, road upgrades and the removal of tick clearing requirements would have reduced transport cost by 19%.

This would provide a $75.6 million saving in livestock transport costs

For more information visit agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au.