Wider way to go on the Outback Way

Upgrade works between Winton and Boulia on the Outback Way have wrapped up, just as $24 million worth of upgrades on Richmond-Winton Road also ramps up further to the east.

The progressive sealing of the Outback Way is part of the Australian Government’s $330 million investment to improve the 2,700-kilometre route that links Laverton in Western Australia, with Winton in Queensland.

Several projects have been completed in Queensland targeting productivity and safety improvements from Winton through to Tobermorey, west of Boulia, benefitting freight operators and various industries including agriculture, mining and tourism.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said in total, $26.45 million for sealing and widening has increased connectivity and reduce travel times.

“This is also an investment in improving access for remote and Indigenous communities to health and social services,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I am proud to see regional Queensland benefitting from the Federal Coalition Government’s record nationwide infrastructure investment, which is securing Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the $26 million Outback Way upgrades that started in 2018 had been delivered by a partnership between all three levels of government.

“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion transport and roads investment program over the next four years as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” Mr Bailey said.

“There are more projects being rolled out on regional roads and highways than ever before thanks to the additional stimulus agreements we’ve made by working with the Federal Government to keep our economy moving.

“The projects that have just finished provided a reliable and continuous flow of work for local government road crews from Boulia and Winton over the past two years and supported local and regional economies during difficult times, including the emergence and ongoing management of COVID-19.”

Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said the Outback Way works were progressively delivered across five projects since 2018.

“The final project sealed 25 kilometres between Boulia and Tobermorey and means collectively, the projects paved and sealed 43 kilometres of the Outback Way and widened more than 24 kilometres,” he said.

“That makes a huge difference for locals and businesses moving freight because they know there is a safer and more dependable stretch of road between Winton and Boulia.

“More than 90 per cent of the Outback Way in Queensland now fully sealed, which is a great example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together.”

The Australian Government contributed more than $21 million to deliver the five projects, with the Queensland Government committing about $3.6 million and Boulia Shire Council about $1.6 million.

For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects. More information on the Australian Government’s Outback Way investments is available on its Infrastructure Investment Program website.

Outback Way projects

Outback Way, Donohue Highway, sections, 2017-2019 pave and seal

• $6.25 million project paved and sealed about 18 kilometres of the Donohue Highway (a local government road which forms part of the Outback Way) between Boulia and Tobermorey.
• The project was jointly funded by the three levels of government ($5 million Australian Government, $625,000 Queensland Government and $625,000 Boulia Shire Council).
• Construction started March 2018 with Boulia Shire Council delivering the works.
• The project was completed in late May 2019.

Boulia - Tobermorey Road (Donohue Highway), Outback Way, various locations, pave and seal 

• $10.48 million project to pave and seal 25 kilometres across four sections of the Donohue Highway, between Boulia and Tobermorey.
• The project is jointly funded by the three levels of government ($8.38 million Australian Government, $1.048 million Queensland Government and $1.048 million Boulia Shire Council).
• Construction started in July 2019 with Boulia Shire Council delivering the works.
• An average of 15 direct jobs are supported over the life of the project.

Kennedy Developmental Road (Winton - Boulia), Outback Way, 2018-2020 pavement widening

• $3.875 million project widened more than 17 kilometres of the Kennedy Developmental Road between Winton and Boulia.
• The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government ($3.1 million) and Queensland Government ($775,000).
• Construction started in June 2019 with RoadTek delivering the works.
• The project was completed in April 2020.

Kennedy Developmental Road (Winton - Boulia), Outback Way, strengthen and widen pavement

• $4.825 million project widened up to five kilometres of the Kennedy Developmental Road between Winton and Boulia.
• The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government ($3.86 million) and Queensland Government ($965,000).
• Construction started in April 2020 with RoadTek delivering the works.
• The project was completed in September 2020.

Diamantina Developmental Road (Boulia - Dajarra), Outback Way, reconstruct and widen pavement

• $1.025 million project widened an additional two kilometres of the Diamantina Developmental Road between Boulia and Dajarra.
• The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government ($820,000) and Queensland Government ($205,000).
• Construction started in February 2021 with Boulia Shire Council delivering the works.
• The project was completed in April 2021.