Road freight connectivity to improve 'Australia's longest shortcut' across regional Queensland, NT and WA
The government has announced plans to invest an additional $678 million to seal another 1,000 kilometres of road and deliver further upgrades along Australia’s longest shortcut, Outback Way.
As part of the works, the remaining unsealed and substandard sections of Outback Way in Queensland and Western Australia will be sealed.
Additional priority sections on the Plenty Highway and Tjukaruru Road in the Northern Territory will also be upgraded.
The Government is committed to sealing the entire 2,720 kilometres of Outback Way and this funding commitment will help get the job done, cutting travel times for freight and tourists while giving residents along the route improved access to the supplies they need to live.
PM Scott Morrison says the upgrades would support 2,197 jobs and deliver an important economic boost across Australia’s centre.
“Our additional investment of $678 million in Outback Way is part of our plan for a strong economy across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia,” Morrison says.
“Investing in infrastructure right across Australia will keep our economy strong and growing while ensuring Australians, regardless of where they live, have jobs.
“Our investment locks in a pipeline of works that will drive investment in regional Australia and boost economies from Winton in Queensland to Laverton in Western Australia, helping regional and remote communities and those who call them home to grow and prosper.”
Transport and infrastructure minister Barnaby Joyce says the government was delivering on its commitment to seal the entire length of Outback Way.
“The Nationals and Liberals had the vision to start these upgrades and we are driving ahead with the sealing of the third road that runs east to west across our nation, from Winton to Laverton,” Joyce says.
“Outback Way is a vital piece of national transport infrastructure that supports regional economies the length of the 2,720-kilometre route and connects them to the rest of Australia.
“This additional funding builds on the $330 million we’ve invested since 2013 to seal over 600 kilometres of Outback Way, giving freight, tourists and locals a smoother, safer drive.
“$124 million will be spent on upgrades in the Northern Territory alone, creating 442 jobs for locals and delivering a much-needed economic injection in the Territory.
“These upgrades will spark new opportunities for industries along the route, including the critical earth precincts north of Alice Springs, the gold precincts around Laverton and the massive beef industry, while ensuring communities and people on the corridor have better access to supplies.”
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud says $154 million would be invested in the Queensland section of Outback Way, creating 671 jobs across the state and driving economic growth.
“Sealing and upgrading Outback Way will reduce the long and unreliable travel times that freight and motorists experience along sections of the route,” Littleproud says.
“The upgrades will also drive economic growth in remote communities, bring more tourists, improve connections between people, jobs and services, and goods with markets.”
Queensland senator Susan McDonald says mining and agriculture businesses would benefit from the government’s investment in in western Queensland.
“$41.5 million of this funding will go towards progressively sealing the remaining unsealed sections of the Donohue Highway in Queensland, to improve safety and efficiency,” McDonald says.
“Solely-funded by the Australian Government, the Donohue Highway sealing works will support around 124 jobs during construction, providing a major boost to the local economy.”
Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson says the government had put $400 million on the table to seal the full length of Outback Way in Western Australia.
“This funding commitment will create 1,084 jobs in Western Australia, delivering a significant boost to our regional and remote towns,” Wilson says.
“A sealed route will also deliver social benefits for communities by improving access to goods and services and increased employment opportunities, particularly for Indigenous communities.”
The government’s additional funding for Outback Way means upgrades can continue to be rolled out as previously funded works are completed.
The Australian Government’s funding commitment represents 80 per cent of the total funding package, with state and territory governments providing the remaining 20 per cent.