Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget delivers for north west roads
Close to $70 million in State Budget funding would drive progress on upgrading key routes to support north west Queensland’s growing economy, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
The funding is part of a record $3.235 billion commitment towards roads in the 2008-09 State Budget that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans.
Mr Pitt said $69.8 million would provide for transport infrastructure to support the growing area, boosting the region’s traditional industries and supporting new developments that contribute to Queensland’s economy.
“The 2008-09 Budget will provide for upgrades to the north west’s key freight and passenger routes, as well as improvements to the region’s unsealed road network,” Mr Pitt said.
“A highlight is continued investment in the region’s key east-west connection, the Flinders Highway.
“In recent years, the highway from Townsville to just west of Charters Towers has been greatly improved. The focus is now on widening the section between Charters Towers and Cloncurry.
“This year $7.4 million has been allocated to progressively widen the highway at Jardine Valley between Charters Towers and Hughenden, at a total estimated cost of $8.8 million.
“Widening the highway will improve both safety and freight efficiency on this important link.”
Another $5.5 million has been allocated towards paving and sealing sections of the Wills Developmental Road between Gregory and the Doomadgee turnoff, south of Burketown, at a total estimated cost of $7.5 million.
Mr Pitt said the region's mining, grazing and tourism industries would also benefit from continued investment in the Burke Developmental Road.
“Previous widening south of the Burke and Wills Junction has significantly improved travelling conditions,” Mr Pitt said.
“Priorities for investment now focus on eliminating the narrow sealed sections north of the Burke and Wills Junction, towards Normanton.”
Mr Pitt said the 2008-09 capital expenditure program for Main Roads would also provide improved road infrastructure to remote communities in the north west.
“Providing sealed road access to remote communities improves quality of life by connecting people to products and services,” he said.
“Improving road infrastructure also increases safety and access for communities who are affected by restricted access during the wet season.
“This government is committed to providing safe and secure communities through safer roads."
Funding for north west roads in 2008-09 also includes:
• $5.1 million to seal the Kennedy Developmental Road, between Hughenden and the Porcupine Gorge turnoff, at a total estimated cost of $6.7 million, as part of a joint project with Flinders Shire Council
• $2 million for gravel re-sheeting the Gregory Downs to Camooweal Road, north of Camooweal
• $1.9 million to widen the Burke Developmental Road at Donors Hill, at a total estimated cost of $2.9 million
• $4 million to seal the Aramac-Torrens Creek Road, south of Torrens Creek, at a total estimated cost of $14.4 million.
Mr Pitt said regional councils in the north west region would also benefit greatly from this year's Budget with $7.1 million allocated under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
The TIDS program allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Mr Pitt said TIDS allocations for 2008-09 would include:
• $711,000 to Carpentaria Shire Council, for floodway, formation and safety improvements on the Kowanyama Access Road at Plain Creek
• $750,000 for Burke Shire Council to construct a bridge and approaches at Albert River, on the Savannah Way south of Burketown
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The funding is part of a record $3.235 billion commitment towards roads in the 2008-09 State Budget that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans.
Mr Pitt said $69.8 million would provide for transport infrastructure to support the growing area, boosting the region’s traditional industries and supporting new developments that contribute to Queensland’s economy.
“The 2008-09 Budget will provide for upgrades to the north west’s key freight and passenger routes, as well as improvements to the region’s unsealed road network,” Mr Pitt said.
“A highlight is continued investment in the region’s key east-west connection, the Flinders Highway.
“In recent years, the highway from Townsville to just west of Charters Towers has been greatly improved. The focus is now on widening the section between Charters Towers and Cloncurry.
“This year $7.4 million has been allocated to progressively widen the highway at Jardine Valley between Charters Towers and Hughenden, at a total estimated cost of $8.8 million.
“Widening the highway will improve both safety and freight efficiency on this important link.”
Another $5.5 million has been allocated towards paving and sealing sections of the Wills Developmental Road between Gregory and the Doomadgee turnoff, south of Burketown, at a total estimated cost of $7.5 million.
Mr Pitt said the region's mining, grazing and tourism industries would also benefit from continued investment in the Burke Developmental Road.
“Previous widening south of the Burke and Wills Junction has significantly improved travelling conditions,” Mr Pitt said.
“Priorities for investment now focus on eliminating the narrow sealed sections north of the Burke and Wills Junction, towards Normanton.”
Mr Pitt said the 2008-09 capital expenditure program for Main Roads would also provide improved road infrastructure to remote communities in the north west.
“Providing sealed road access to remote communities improves quality of life by connecting people to products and services,” he said.
“Improving road infrastructure also increases safety and access for communities who are affected by restricted access during the wet season.
“This government is committed to providing safe and secure communities through safer roads."
Funding for north west roads in 2008-09 also includes:
• $5.1 million to seal the Kennedy Developmental Road, between Hughenden and the Porcupine Gorge turnoff, at a total estimated cost of $6.7 million, as part of a joint project with Flinders Shire Council
• $2 million for gravel re-sheeting the Gregory Downs to Camooweal Road, north of Camooweal
• $1.9 million to widen the Burke Developmental Road at Donors Hill, at a total estimated cost of $2.9 million
• $4 million to seal the Aramac-Torrens Creek Road, south of Torrens Creek, at a total estimated cost of $14.4 million.
Mr Pitt said regional councils in the north west region would also benefit greatly from this year's Budget with $7.1 million allocated under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
The TIDS program allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Mr Pitt said TIDS allocations for 2008-09 would include:
• $711,000 to Carpentaria Shire Council, for floodway, formation and safety improvements on the Kowanyama Access Road at Plain Creek
• $750,000 for Burke Shire Council to construct a bridge and approaches at Albert River, on the Savannah Way south of Burketown
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819