NEXT STAGE OF WINTON - HUGHENDEN BITUMEN SEALING

The State Government is pushing on with the next stage of its five year, $27.5 million plan to bitumen seal the Winton - Hughenden section of the Kennedy Developmental Road.

Transport and Main Roads Minister and Member for Gregory, Vaughan Johnson, said work would commence this month (December) on a $1.9 million project to bitumen seal 13 km of the road.

"The new project will extend south to Elvira Station grid, almost 91 km from Hughenden, in Flinders Shire," he said.

"It adjoins a 14 km section between Elvira Grid and Velum Downs, being completed by Main Roads' RTCS Barcaldine unit, so it makes sense that they should undertake the new work as well."

Mr Johnson said the project would provide formation, pavement and 8 metre bitumen and floodways, replacing the existing unsealed road.

"The project is expected to be completed by next June, subject to any disruption to work caused by wet weather," he said.

Mr Johnson said besides sealing an important road link in central western Queensland, the State Government's strategy was to help with employment in an area hard-hit by drought and difficult economic conditions.

"The various projects which I have announced since September 1996, have provided employment for both Main Roads and local government road construction workforces in the area," he said.

"The State Government's commitment to seal the Winton - Hughenden road has also provided a kick start to the Reef to the Rock tourist concept, a link between Cairns and Ayers Rock via the central west.

"The West Australian Government is now strongly pushing to expand this by providing a connection between Perth and Ayers Rock, which is a visionary project for Australia's 21st Century," he said.