Funding approved to finish Cape York infrastructure upgrades

Funding to allow further upgrading of roads and other critical infrastructure on the Cape York Peninsula was announced by the Australian and Queensland Governments today. 

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the Australian Government had approved $100.6 million so the remaining projects under the Cape York Region Package, including Community Infrastructure projects in eight Indigenous regions, can get underway.

“These works will assist in connecting local communities with areas of economic opportunity by upgrading key roads and other transport and Indigenous community infrastructure,” Mr Chester said.

“Building quality infrastructure can change people’s lives and it can save people’s lives.

“This announcement coincides with an Expression of Interest being advertised for two Peninsula Developmental Road construction projects to be delivered this year.

“Funds approved are in addition to the $107.8 million already approved for the Early Works Package on the Peninsula Developmental Road.

“This early works package enabled works to start on projects like the Mein Deviation while further planning was undertaken to finalise the entire package. Six projects on the Peninsula Developmental Road have been completed to date.”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the Queensland Government had already committed $52.1 million to improve road safety and flood mitigation, and to create local jobs.

“The completion of these projects will improve the safety of Cape York’s road network,” Mr Bailey said.

“The works are helping to strengthen the local economy provide training, jobs and economic development opportunities for local Indigenous communities. 

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he had advocated for opportunities for businesses in north Queensland to bid for works.

“The Cape York Region Package will lead to improved Indigenous social outcomes, including the creation of employment and training opportunities,” Mr Entsch said.

“These projects will improve the safety of Cape York’s road network, reduce road closure times after heavy rainfall and reduce the need to impose associated heavy vehicle weight restrictions.

“These improvements will help meet current and future demand for increased traffic capacity in the Gulf, particularly from the mining and tourism industries.”

Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said projects being progressed under the Cape York Region Package were delivering economic and social benefits.

“The Cape York Region Package has been supporting the growth of the local economy, providing training and jobs for Indigenous communities and this final approval of funds is great news for the region,” Mr Pitt said.

“The community infrastructure projects will deliver much needed improvements to roads, barge and boat ramps, water and sewerage facilities in eight Cape York communities including Aurukun, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw and Wujal Wujal.”

The total $260.5 million Cape York Region Package is being jointly funded with the Australian Government contributing $208.4 million and the Queensland Government $52.1 million.

An expression of interest was released for the 22km Coen South project and the 13km Archer to Wolverton project. The tender approach for the delivery of the 2016 construction program is the result of interagency discussions at a state and federal government level.

Tenderers will also be required to demonstrate how they will engage local businesses, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as well as provide for Indigenous employment and training.

Industry briefings on tender processes will be held in Cairns, Weipa and Coen in the week starting Monday, 16 May.

For more information on the project, including project delivery timeframes and information on procurement and prequalification levels, please go towww.tmr.qld.gov.au

Key facts about the PDR projects being delivered through the CYRP:

• 68.4km of the PDR has been sealed through the CYRP
• Work commenced on 2 May 2016 to complete the seal on the 29km Mein Deviation project.
• Four new pave and seal projects will be delivered in 2016:

   Coen South (22km)

   Archer to Wolverton (13km)

   Musgrave (12km)

   Little Laura to Fairview (4.6km)

ENDS

Media Contacts

For Mr Chester:                               James Twining                    0455 262 496

For Mr Bailey:                                  Anna Jabour                        0429 890 942

For Mr Entsch:                                                                            07 4051 2220         

For Mr Pitt:                                     Scott Forbes                        0419 945 546