Federal member for Kennedy in north Queensland says $89 million project would provide plenty of benefits for the freight industry
Independent North Queensland parliamentarian Bob Katter is urging the federal government to fund the completion of the Hann Highway, near Hughenden in the centre-north of the state.
Katter says an upgrade, including sealing, of this road would create a viable inland alternative to the Bruce Highway for freight traffic travelling to and from the far north.
“It will ensure that North Queensland’s products, whether fruit and vegetables or cattle, get down to the southern markets faster,” he says.
“It will save both in terms of fuel footprints and the increasing cost of congestion and maintenance on the Pacific Highway.”
Importantly, the upgrade would create an inland alternative to the flood-prone Bruce Highway that maintains a consistent road standard throughout.
“It will allow road trains to travel the entire distance without needing to unhook their trailers, drastically reducing cost, maintenance, fuel and fatigue management.”
Katter’s plea comes ahead of a visit to the region by Prime Minister Tony Abbott later this week.
The project is projected to cost around $89 million, and Katter is urging both the federal and state governments to contribute funding.
“The credit for the completion of this great and critical piece of infrastructure for Australia will be remembered long into the future,” he says.