Published Thursday, 20 December, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Minister meets mayor to discuss Innamincka Road project
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt met with Bulloo Shire mayor Cr John Ferguson today to discuss the progress of the 80km upgrade of the Innamincka Road.
Main Roads and Bulloo Shire Council joined forces in August to start planning for the $16 million upgrade of the road between Ballera and the South Australian border.
“Main Roads and the council started planning after the Federal Government announced $10 million of funding for the project as part of its Auslink program,” Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads has committed $1.5 million towards the project, with Bulloo Shire Council and mining company Santos Limited also contributing money towards the upgrade to fully seal the vital link.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was also providing surveying and technical advice to the council for the project.
“Main Roads officers in south-west Queensland have developed considerable expertise in using locally available materials for road construction and are advising the council on how to achieve high safety design standards at lower costs,” he said.
“Main Roads is currently carrying out preliminary surveying works on the road and the council has completed 4km of the widened bitumen seal.”
Mr Pitt said the full sealing of the road, expected to be completed by the end of 2010, would open up opportunities for both tourism and heavy industry.
"Once the road is fully sealed, south-western Queensland motorists travelling to Adelaide will be able to cut hours from their trip," he said.
"The road forms part of the new Adventure Way tourist route, which starts in Brisbane and takes in Queensland's south-western townships all the way to Adelaide.
"This is a vital link for tourists traveling to and from South Australia and will allow southerners to explore the wonders of south-west Queensland.
"Motorists who do not have a four-wheel-drive vehicle will also be able to explore the state's south-west due to the improved conditions of the road.”
Mr Pitt said sealed roads were vital to rural and remote communities in the south-western region, bringing about new business opportunities due to more motorists traveling through these towns.
"The link between Queensland and South Australia will also have significant benefits for beef, oil and gas industries in south-western Queensland."
Other works in the shire expected to finish in mid 2008 include:
• a $40,000 truck rest area on Innaminka Road between Thargomindah and Bundeena (jointly funded by Main Roads and the council)
• a $32,000 truck rest area on Warry Gate Road near Noccundra (jointly funded by Main Roads and the council)
• a $108,000 project to build a car-park and safety improvements at Thargomindah State School (Main Roads contributing $39,000 towards the project).
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads and Bulloo Shire Council joined forces in August to start planning for the $16 million upgrade of the road between Ballera and the South Australian border.
“Main Roads and the council started planning after the Federal Government announced $10 million of funding for the project as part of its Auslink program,” Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads has committed $1.5 million towards the project, with Bulloo Shire Council and mining company Santos Limited also contributing money towards the upgrade to fully seal the vital link.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was also providing surveying and technical advice to the council for the project.
“Main Roads officers in south-west Queensland have developed considerable expertise in using locally available materials for road construction and are advising the council on how to achieve high safety design standards at lower costs,” he said.
“Main Roads is currently carrying out preliminary surveying works on the road and the council has completed 4km of the widened bitumen seal.”
Mr Pitt said the full sealing of the road, expected to be completed by the end of 2010, would open up opportunities for both tourism and heavy industry.
"Once the road is fully sealed, south-western Queensland motorists travelling to Adelaide will be able to cut hours from their trip," he said.
"The road forms part of the new Adventure Way tourist route, which starts in Brisbane and takes in Queensland's south-western townships all the way to Adelaide.
"This is a vital link for tourists traveling to and from South Australia and will allow southerners to explore the wonders of south-west Queensland.
"Motorists who do not have a four-wheel-drive vehicle will also be able to explore the state's south-west due to the improved conditions of the road.”
Mr Pitt said sealed roads were vital to rural and remote communities in the south-western region, bringing about new business opportunities due to more motorists traveling through these towns.
"The link between Queensland and South Australia will also have significant benefits for beef, oil and gas industries in south-western Queensland."
Other works in the shire expected to finish in mid 2008 include:
• a $40,000 truck rest area on Innaminka Road between Thargomindah and Bundeena (jointly funded by Main Roads and the council)
• a $32,000 truck rest area on Warry Gate Road near Noccundra (jointly funded by Main Roads and the council)
• a $108,000 project to build a car-park and safety improvements at Thargomindah State School (Main Roads contributing $39,000 towards the project).
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819