The federal government has today pledged $160 million to seal a 300-kilometre stretch of the Outback Way, which links Western Australia’s Goldfields to central Queensland.
The 2,700-kilometre road includes 1,400km of unsealed road, with a $125 million program currently being rolled out to seal a further 210km.
That program is being funded by the WA, Queensland and Northern Territory governments, along with a number of local shires.
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the funding built on previous funding by the Commonwealth government.
“A better Outback Way means better links between Queensland, the Northern Territory and WA, improved travel times and operating costs, better flood immunity, improved access to remote communities and mining operations and a safer road,” he said
Resources Minister Matt Canavan said upgrading priority sections of the route would tackle reliability and safety issues, especially for heavy freight vehicles, while delivering jobs for local communities.
“This investment is about supporting vital industries such as mining, tourism and agriculture across the North, and the communities these industries help sustain,” he said.
“The government will continue to work with the three northern jurisdictions to identifty sections of highest priority for upgrades, as we continue our commitment to develop the North and drive economic growth.”
The Outback Highway Development Council praised the government for the contribution and said following completion of the upgrade, only 900km of the highway would be unsealed.
