Driving Road Investment to Spark Northern Development

GARY HIGGINS - MEMBER FOR DALY

Member for Daly, Gary Higgins, says the $408.1 million Budget 2014 investment in Northern Territory roads is the key to driving development in the north.

“Upgrading the Port Keats Road will open up economic opportunities for the Daly region, such as employment, business and tourism,” Mr Higgins said.

“I welcome the $20 million announced to seal two parts of the Port Keats Road, between Peppimenarti and Palumpa, as the sections are badly in need of an upgrade.

“I also welcome the extra $30 million earmarked for strategic and economic development roads in Budget 2014.

“I will be lobbying my colleagues very strongly to ensure that a large chunk of this money is best spent on further developing the road to Wadeye.

“Wadeye is the fifth largest town in the Territory but its potential for economic development goes un-tapped.

“While I would like to see all of the $30 million invested in the Port Keats Road, I understand I will have a fight on my hands against my colleagues looking to improve roads in their own electorates.

“I will be asking for $14 million to be spent on the road to Wadeye, to fix the section of road known as Yellow Creek.

“Drivers often hit the flooded Yellow Creek just after crossing the new Daly Bridge, and are stuck on a road to nowhere.

“That means local residents, people in the agricultural industry and tourists cannot reap the full benefits of our new bridge, until this section of road is improved.

“The upgrade would be money very well spent for the Territory’s future and development in the north.

“I’m pleased to see that we are delivering on our commitment to finish sealing the Litchfield Road,and upgrade creek crossings on the Fog Bay Road, which will boost tourism in both regions.

“The next step is to link that road from Batchelor to the Daly River to further boost tourism and investment in the north.”

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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