The cost of completing the sealing of long awaited Outback Way between Winton in Queensland and Laverton in WA has been estimated at a minimum of $400m.
Advocates of the ‘Australia’s longest shortcut’ would like to see the remaining 1,600-kilometre unsealed section of the 2,800 kilometre route sealed by 2025.
The chairman of the Outback Highway Development Council, Patrick Hill, said the $400 million price tag was based on quotes from Queensland and WA contractors, who estimated it would cost about $300,000 per kilometre to seal the highway. Â However, quotes from the Northern Territory are much higher apparently ranging from $700,000 per kilometre to as much as $1.2 million per kilometre
Mr Hill, who is also the Shire of Laverton president, told the ABC he would like to see a Senate inquiry into why road construction costs are so high in the Northern Territory.
“We’ve raised that concern with all ministers in Canberra and the Department of Transport, and asked for clarification as to why it’s such a huge difference in costs,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of lobbying and we want to see bang for our buck on that road … we can’t waste money. “
More than $200 million in state, territory and Federal funding has been committed since 1997 when the Outback Highway Development Council was formed, meaning the total cost will be in excess of $600 million.
The ABC reports that the ultimate goal is to link sealed roads stretching 4,615km from the west coast capital of Perth, passing Uluru and the inland hub of Alice Springs, before finishing in tropical north Queensland at Cairns.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester is set to meet with state and territory representatives in Alice Springs in late March to map out priority sections of the highway, and to ensure value for money.
“This is one of the most exciting projects in rural and regional Australia at the moment,” Mr Chester told the ABC. Â “In future years to come it’s something that I’m sure people will say I’m glad they built that and got on with the job.”
·        Comment below
No need for investigation about the NT costs, that would be due to them Knowing how to build beaut roads strong enough to carry huge Roadtrains and other big semis pulling big loads and the roads stand up for longer with little repair time do get a grip WA and build the sealed road properly.
Hooray. If only Pollies had one less subsidised plane trip per year we could do it tomorrow
You beat me to it,if the pollies really wanted to help the country and not just themselves? IFFF???
Now is the time to seal this road with many contractors looking for work after the mining infustructure boom and higher unemployment.
The benefits are great it will open up the centre of Australia cut travel times and increase tourisum. Another safe route for grey nomads to travel as well as commercial transport.
What about the effect on the communities and impact on country?
Why is it always about the $$$