Tourist hot spots receive roads funding boost to improve drive market

Published Thursday, 27 April, 2017 at 01:00 PM

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Eighteen major tourist and culturally significant sites in Western Queensland will benefit from a funding injection of almost $6 million to improve transport and road access.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the successful destinations had won funding through round one of the Palaszczuk Government’s Transport and Tourism Connections (TTC) program.

“This program aims to improve access to significant tourist sites by upgrading the surrounding road infrastructure,” Mr Bailey said.

“We have unique sites in Western Queensland for tourists that nowhere else in the world can offer such as the Dinosaur Trail at Winton and scenic Hell Hole Gorge National Park at Quilpie.

“With the increasing popularity of drive tourism as a preferred choice for domestic and international tourists, it is essential we make sure our incredible sites are as easy and safe to visit as possible.”

Mr Bailey said the 18 successful tourist and culturally significant site operators who applied for infrastructure funding would benefit though improved transport and road access.

“The $10 million program allows the Palaszczuk Government to work with local governments and the private sector to build and upgrade infrastructure to improve access to some of Queensland’s most significant tourism experiences.

“Our aim is to maximise this funding injection, ensuring many tourist locations in rural and regional Queensland benefit from this much-needed funding.

“We expect the projects to start in coming months, with delivery of the whole program expected to be completed by mid-2018, weather permitting.”

The successful projects include:

  • Winton Shire Council Age of Dinosaur Road Pave and Seal (Stage 1 - 3.5km)
  • Winton Shire Council Age of Dinosaur Road Pave and Seal (Stage 2 – 3.7km)
  • Diamantina Shire Council Birdsville - Windorah Road Pave and Seal
  • Diamantina Shire Council Big Red Road – Overtaking Opportunity
  • Blackall - Tambo Regional Council Blackall Aquatic Centre Car Park
  • Blackall - Tambo Regional Council Qantas Crash Site Access Road Pave and Seal
  • Blackall - Tambo Regional Council Tambo Airfield Road Access Pave and Seal
  • Longreach Regional Council River Farms Road Pave and Seal
  • Barcaldine Regional Council Regional Tourism Signage
  • Barcaldine Regional Council Parking Improvements on Capricorn Highway (Alpha – Barcaldine) at Oak Street
  • Burke Shire Council Burketown Wharf Car park Upgrade (Truganini Road)
  • Carpentaria Shire Council Burke Developmental Road - Rest Stop Upgrades
  • McKinlay Shire Council RV Site Access Road from Flinders Highway to Shaw Street, Julia Creek
  • McKinlay Shire Council Combo Waterhole Access Road
  • Mount Isa City Council Moondarra Drive Upgrade Works
  • Richmond Shire Council Richmond RV Park Access - Hillier Street
  • Bullo Shire Council Brisbane to Adelaide Connector (Innamincka Road)
  • Quilpie Shire Council Hell Hole National Park (Quilpie - Adavale Road)

The Transport and Tourism Connections program is a $10 million program, with round one totalling almost $6 million. The remaining funding will be announced as part of round two.

Funding for upgrades is on a 50:50 basis with local governments.

ENDS

Media contact:             Zoe Russell – 0428 079 640