The iconic Outback Way route which links Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland is to become more accessible to larger numbers of grey nomads.
Another $40 million of funding has been announced for repairs and upgrades to sections of the road in the Northern Territory.
Northern Territory chief minister Adam Giles said construction would now start this financial year on projects including the extension of the sealed sections of the Plenty Highway up towards Harts Range. He said funding would also be allocated for design work on the flood plain crossing on the Docker River Road where traffic is often held up.
The Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC) has described the funding announcement as a ‘game changer’ for locals, tourism and industry.
Known as ‘Australia’s longest short cut’, the Outback Way starts in Laverton in Western Australia, and crosses through the Northern Territory and into Queensland through Boulia before ending in Winton.
It is a route which is increasingly being used either in full, or in part, by adventure-seeking grey nomads.
“This really is a quintessentially Australian road-trip experience,” Northern Queensland senator Ian Macdonald told the North West Star. “Enhancing this iconic Australian route can only benefit tourism, mining, transport and agriculture across the nation.”
The new funding will come equally from the Federal and Northern Territory governments. The latest announcement follows the signing of a $24.5 million joint local, state and Commonwealth funding agreement earlier this year for Queensland sections of the road.
“The Outback Way traverses the most remote parts of Australia and is likely to punch well above its weight in terms of importance to our economy,” said federal infrastructure minister, Warren Truss. “This funding will help unlock the potential benefits of outback roads to the Australian and Northern Territory economies.”
*Have you travelled the Outback Way? Is it an experience you would recommend? Comment below.
