Approved: Northern Territory Outback Way funding

The Hon. Warren Truss MP
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development

FUNDING for Stage 1 of the Northern Territory section of the Outback Way has today been approved by the Australian Government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss confirmed the funding today at a Parliamentary Friends of the Outback Way event in Canberra, where members were briefed on the project by Outback Highway Development Council chair Patrick Hill.

Mr Truss said more than $6.6 million had been approved to seal approximately 16 kilometres of sections on Tjukaruru Road and the Plenty Highway along the Outback Way route over the next two years.

“The Outback Way is a vital artery for the freight and tourism industries in the Territory, providing a transnational link across the heart of Australia, connecting Laverton in Western Australia to Winton in Queensland,” Mr Truss said.

“Currently, the roads close for an average of two to seven days after each significant rain event, which is devastating for freight operators and even worse for the remote communities that rely on the route.

“Our commitment to the Outback Way will keep more of the route open during the wet season, which will help drive the Territory’s economy over the summer months.”

Today’s funding approval is part of the Australian Government’s $20 million commitment to the Outback Way in the Northern Territory, which is being matched by the Northern Territory Government.

Further funding approvals for projects on the Northern Territory section of the Outback Way are expected later this year.

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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