Outback Way: $40m in NT over next three years

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2043 outback highway map
 
The NT and Canberra will jointly fund construction of the Outback Way within the Northern Territory to the tune of $40m over thee years, it was announced today.
 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Warren Truss said the Australian Government has committed $20 million for the road link, which the Northern Territory Government has agreed to match dollar for dollar.
 
Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC) general manager Helen Lewis called the NT’s contribution “exceptional and highly welcome”.
 
p2155-Warren-Truss“Billed as Australia’s longest shortcut (Cairns to Perth) the Outback Way traverses the most remote parts of Australia and is likely to punch well above its weight in terms of importance to our economy,” Mr Truss (pictured) said.
 
“Our regional and remote tourism, mining and freight industries use this route through Western Australian, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
 
“This funding will help unlock the potential benefits of outback roads to the Australian and Northern Territory economies.”
Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles said the upgrade would improve access to many remote indigenous communities across the northern half of Australia.
 
“This investment is about improving access to our remote communities and increasing the prosperity of these regions,” Mr Giles said.
“The full scope of works is still being considered, but already this financial year construction will begin on extending the sealed length of the Plenty Highway up towards Harts Range.
 
We are also allocating funding for design work on the flood plain crossing on the Docker River Road which often disrupts traffic.”
 
These immediate works have been welcomed by the Outback Highway Development Council.
“The works on the Plenty and Docker River Road will be a game changer for locals, tourism and industry. The Docker River Road is critical for the connectivity of the route and the integrity of the Outback Highway project,” says Ms Lewis said.
 
Mr Truss said the Australian Government was working with state, territory and local governments across the nation to ensure the Outback Way remains a valuable trans-national link across the heart of Australia.
 
In March, the Australian Government, Queensland Government and seven western Queensland councils signed a funding agreement worth $24.5 million to upgrade the Queensland section of the Outback Way.
 
 
The Australian Government has committed $33 million nationally – including in WA and Queensland – to the upgrade of the Outback Way.
 

1 COMMENT

  1. The lack of long term vision on a local scale is coming to the fore again.
    Great concept, but who wants to enter Alice via a major National highway when with a little foresight and a small amount of additional money tourists from the Eastern States could come into town via The Pinnacles or Cattle Water Pass and the East Macs and thus open up a much underutilised area of our country.
    If you don’t show it who is to know it is there? And that applies to a whole range of other investment opportunities here which are well hidden away from potential investors – particularly in the area of food production.
    Ever heard of the Desert Pride project, Tamara dates, emerging quongdong etc. amongst another dozen or so investment opportunities well hidden away behind “development”? Where is the vision apart from housing estates?

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