Another road to reconciliation

History was made today when Transport and Main Roads Minister Steve Bredhauer announced record funding for road networks that link the rest of Australia to some of the most remote regions in the country - Cape York Peninsula, the vast Gulf country and Torres Strait.

Mr Bredhauer said today that a record $195 million would be spent on roads in the vast electorate of Cook over the next five years.

The Minister said a number of important road projects in the region would be funded through one of the state's most significant road transport initiatives - the Roads Implementation Program - a five-year $5.3 billion dollar program.

As part of the new funding, locals and visitors to Cape York will be able to look forward to a new bridge across Big Annan River. "The road transport needs of communities in the Cape, the Gulf, Torres Strait and other remote parts of far north Queensland are of paramount importance to me.

"All too often the needs of people living and working in rural and remote regions are overlooked.

"But more than half the funds in this $5.3 billion program will be spent outside the south east corner of the state.

"The road transport needs of communities in the Cape, the Gulf, Torres Strait and other remote regions will be met," Mr Bredhauer said.

"I'm determined to provide real opportunities for people in remote areas, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

"It's about more than just roads. By investing in our roads, we're investing in people who live and work in remote communities.

"And together we can build a better road to reconciliation by creating safer communities and job opportunities," Mr Bredhauer said.

The Minister said every million dollars spent on roads provided 17 jobs in road building and related industries.

"We'll be providing 17,500 jobs throughout the state from this initiative," he said.

Major achievements in this financial year will be the completion of the Byerstown Range crossing on the Peninsula Developmental Road by April, and the new bridge across Big Annan River on the Cooktown Developmental Road early in 2001.

$14 million will be spent on building and sealing a new alignment over the Byerstown Range, just south of Lakeland.

This project will complete the bitumen seal between Cairns and Lakeland on the Peninsula Developmental Road. Construction is well advanced and is on target for completion by mid 2001.

On the Gulf Developmental Road, $2 million will be spent over four years ($500,000 per year) to widen and seal sections west of Croydon, and $780,000 to widen and seal a section of the Newcastle Range east of Georgetown during 2001, with a further $1.2 million to complete this work over the later years of the Program.

These works will improve road safety and provide more overtaking opportunities for traffic on this important freight and tourist route.

Another $4.4 million will be spent on sealing of the Coen to Coen Aerodrome section on the Peninsula Developmental Road to provide improved all-weather access to one of the most remote airports in Queensland.

This work is well advanced and will be completed in time for Christmas this year.

$7.96 million to complete the construction of high-level, two-lane bridges and approaches at the Big Annan River and Annan River overflow just south of Cooktown on the Cooktown Developmental Road.

$200,000 to install a roundabout and improved lighting at Ring Road and Hastings Street, Thursday Island.

$1.17 million Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme subsidy on Badu Island, to upgrade the access road to a bitumen seal standard from the airstrip towards the barge ramp.

Construction is planned to start after the next wet season and at a total cost of $1.83 million.

$408,000 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme subsidy on Moa Island, to upgrade the second stage of the access from the airport to the barge ramp in Kubin Community.

These works will improve year-round access and eliminate dust problems. The Kubin Community Council also have contributed funds to allow sealing of their town streets. Works will be complete in November this year and at a total cost of $1.38 million.

$981,000 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme subsidy to upgrade the access road to bitumen seal standard from the Lockhart River Community to the barge ramp. Construction is planned to start in October 2000.

$751,000 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme subsidy to upgrade the existing bed crossing over the Wenlock River with a single-lane concrete bridge. Work has started and is expected to be complete by December 2000.

$362,000 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme subsidy to upgrade the access road to bitumen seal standard from the Pompuraaw Community to the airstrip. Construction should be completed before this year's wet season.

$200,000 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme subsidy to upgrade sections of the access road to Undara Volcanic National Park to bitumen seal. The works will be undertaken by Etheridge Shire Council and will improve safety for motorists visiting the National Park.

Mr Bredhauer said longer-term plans for Cape York outlined in the Program included over $40 million on a number of projects to complete the bitumen seal on the Cooktown Developmental Road by the end of 2005.

Rural and regional Queensland will benefit from the ongoing allocation of $30 million a year for the Rural and Regional Roads Improvement Program to help with key road infrastructure needs.

"We're spending money were it counts - in communities where there is a real need," Mr Bredhauer.

For further information: A/Senior Media Adviser Ellen McIntyre 0417 076 738 Media Adviser Andrew Williams 0408 725 308