Used vehicle dealers might lose out in the Northern Territory Budget but cash will be splashed on roads and highways
May 15, 2013
Used vehicle dealers might lose out in the Northern Territory Budget but cash will be splashed on roads and highways.
Those that have taken advantage of cast-off Northern Territory Government light commercial vehicles will have to wait longer for them and will spend less and get less in return following this year’s local Budget.
Light commercial vehicles divestment rules will change from three years or 75,000km to four years or 100,000km under what Treasurer Dave Tollner has described as a “belt-tightening” Budget.
By contrast, the Government’s heavy vehicle fleet is untouched by the new rules and is expected to rise from 690 to 740.
Road infrastructure will be looked after, particularly with strengthening and widening, flood immunity and safety improvements attracting the biggest amount, $55.2 million.
But congestion also gets attention.
“This Government is committed to reducing traffic congestion and enabling motorists to get to and from home quicker through a $16 million contribution to begin duplication of Tiger Brennan Drive from the city to Berrimah,” Chief Minister Adam Giles says.
“The work is part of an overall NT Government contribution of $33 million for the project being developed jointly with the Australian Government.”
However, as with many other departments, all road spending will be cut by $2million, $4 million and $12 million for transport assets, national network and territory roads respectively.
Meanwhile, $315,000 will be spent on increased on-road heavy vehicle enforcement.
Other road spending includes:
- $29.6 million to continue stream crossing upgrades at Goyder River and Badalngarrmirri (Donydji) River, and targeted pavement upgrades on the Central Arnhem Road
- $17 million for strengthening and widening targeted sections and safety improvements including overtaking lanes on the Arnhem Highway
- $13 million for construction of an overpass on Stuart Highway over the railway south of Alice Springs
- $9.1 million to upgrade, strengthen and widen urban roads, rural arterial and local roads
- $6.5 million to continue construction of new overtaking opportunities at selected sections of the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Katherine
- $5 million to upgrade the Charlotte River crossing on Fog Bay Road, including construction of a new bridge and associated approaches and drainage works
- $5 million to City of Darwin for the duplication of Lee Point Road from Tambling Terrace to Vanderlin Drive
- $5 million for continuation of the upgrade and seal of targeted sections on Tanami Road.
