Massive new funding has been announced to improve rural roads … with the Outback Way – which links Queensland to Western Australia – the biggest winner of all.
The federal government will provide $11m to upgrade the Queensland section of the Outback Way, while the state government has put $10m up. The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) shires of Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Barcoo, Boulia and Diamantina are contributing a combined $3.5m to the funding package.
Australia’s ‘longest shortcut’ runs from Winton in Queensland through central Australia to Laverton in Western Australia.
The money will initially be targeted at sections from Boulia to the Northern Territory border and is expected to give a major boost to tourism in the area.
The Outback Highway Development Council says about $512 million is needed to finish the job of sealing the road which they hope will occur in the next 10-15 years.
“Some of this money is going to the Outback Way, which is a great tourism initiative but also this money is going to local roads, as well,” said Queensland Transport Minister, Scott Emerson. “These roads are a lifeline for these regional communities.”
Have you travelled the Outback Way? Will an improved road encourage you to do so in the future?
Yes. Our caravan is our home so we are limited on roads we can travel on. I do hate the thought of ruining our outback though with sealed roads
I heard stories about sealing this road over ten years ago.
When? It’d be done within the next couple of years was the answer.
Now it’ll be done in the next 10 to 15 years at a cost of 512 mil.
And the cost in 10 to 15 years will be then in the Billions of dollars….
Its all about the logistics, getting tar & equipment etc out to these remote locations.
I don’t think it will ever happen…
Which minister broke the story – Tell him he’s dreaming