South Australia’s Strzelecki Track has moved one giant step closer to being fully sealed.
The iconic 475-kilometre route, which passes through the Strzelecki Desert linking Innamincka and Lyndhurst, is a favourite with adventurous grey nomads … but the dust and the the corrugations may soon be a distant memory.
The state government has just pledged $90 million towards a $450 million project to bring bitumen to the Outback. The bulk of the remaining funding would have to come from the Commonwealth, or other parties which would benefit, including the Queensland Government or Cooper Basin mining companies.
Premier Jay Weatherill says a report produced by federal, state and local government authorities has found that sealing the roadway could contribute up to $1.4 billion to the South Australian economy over four decades.
The report says that, after an uplift in activity over the decade following sealing of the roadway, the sealed road would contribute $87 million each year to the economy through growth in tourism, resources and beef road freight.
Sealing of the track has been called for by outback communities, industry leaders and tourism operators for many years.
Federal Liberal MP for Grey Rowan Ramsey said SA tourism would be one of the big winners from sealing the road.
“Imagine, coming from Queensland across the border into South Australia and finding yourself on Coongie Lakes or a short run on bitumen to either Lake Eyre or the Flinders Ranges,” he said.
The whole area would benefit and tourism woud be a great earner for those that cater for it. Locals would have a much easier drive with less chances of vehicle damage.
Uf the State government wants a road project with economic value, they should build a new road from north of Glendambo to the Wudinna/ Kyancutta region. This would attract a lot of eastern state Grey Nomads who are doing a 1/2 lap to drive down the western side of Eyre Peninsula . Many would love to go to Port Lincoln but baulk at the idea of travelling from Port Augusta and then having to double back to get home.
I wonder if insurance companies would benefit
Wont be the same if they do this. The real outback and its challenges are disappearing. Dirt roads are the way of the outback. This is what makes Oz unique and a great.place.
It won’t matter how much of the roads they seal because there will always be plenty of dirt roads in our great country for the 4×4 enthusiasts. It will open up so areas for other people, the majority, to enjoy the great outback. There are endless challengers for 4x4s so they won’t miss out.
Excellent decision. Governments making decisions for the majority e.g. local residents, local businesses, freight companies, tourists and not pandering to the small minority i.e. 4 wheel drivers who like dirt roads & then tell everyone they have driven on the dirt.
agree completly.
Not to mention the jobs it would create .Stevo.