In Townsville on Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce announced approximately $81 million in funding support has been earmarked for northern road upgrades.
Under the Northern Australia Roads Programme, more than $33 million has been set aside for two projects along the Flinders Highway, one between Townsville and Torrens Creek and the other between Charters Towers and Richmond.
Close to $43 million will be spent on widening and sealing works on the Kennedy Developmental Road, while almost $5 million will go towards intersection upgrades on the Barkly Highway in Mount Isa.
Minister Joyce said the programme was created to fund high-priority projects which are essential to underpinning northern economic development.
“The North has vast potential for economic growth to benefit both local communities and the national economy,” he said.
“But to deliver on this potential, it’s essential we have an efficient and safe transport network that makes the north accessible for both freight and everyday transport.
“This type of investment has a pay-off for both the local region and for the national economy.
“We’ll continue to identify new projects that will further enhance the liveability and productivity of North Queensland.”
Other allocations under this round include almost $90 million for roads in Western Australia and $130 million for roads in the Northern Territory.
The projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 funding arrangement.
Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Mark Bailey said the Queensland Government shares the Australian Government’s commitment to improving key roads in the North.
“The Flinders Highway is a critical hinterland road link to major northern centres and this investment will address issues such as ageing road surfaces, flooding and safety risks posed by traffic ranging from road trains to tourist vehicles,” Minister Bailey said.
Senator Ian Macdonald said the road from Townsville to Mount Isa is such an important part of the economy of north Queensland and this upgrade will mean efficiencies and therefore benefits and jobs for the north.
“These works will also complement the recently announced Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor Project and the new Port Road and provide tangible evidence of the Federal Government’s development plans for Northern Australia,” Senator McDonald said.
