As well as helping grey nomads save a few dollars at the bowser, the Federal Budget had a few measures that will have a huge impact on remote Australia travellers for years to come.
As expected, the Government released an extra $678 million to continue sealing the 3,000-kilometre Outback Way, but it also had a few other interesting infrastructure announcements.
As anyone who has travelled it will know, the Tanami Road is a genuine adventure, but it seems the 1,000km-plus route – that runs between the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory and the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia – will soon become that little bit more accessible.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, says that in WA there will be ‘$400 million in additional funding to completely seal the Tanami Road to the Western Australian border, improving safety, accessibility and flood resilience’.
And he says that in the NT there will be ‘$110 million in additional funding to continue to upgrade and further seal the Tanami Road, better connecting mining, resources, tourism, and agribusinesses between the Northern Territory and Western Australia.’
The Tanami Road is still a huge adventure. PIC: Infrastructure Australia / ABC
The Northern Territory Road Transport Association’s Louise Belato wasted no time in welcoming the money.
“Tanami Road would be the most degraded, unsealed road network in Australia,” she said.
Other infrastructure commitments include $132 million to seal the Mereenie Loop tourist drive, which connects Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru.
Tourism Central Australia (TCA) chief executive Danial Rochford was delighted.
“The sealing of the Mereenie Loop road has been Tourism Central Australia’s number one priority project for the last two years, and a lot longer than that,” he said. “But we’ve certainly intensified our advocacy around it in the last two years … this is great news for the tourism industry.”
• Are you happy to see these iconic dirt roads being sealed and made more accessible? Or will you miss the ‘adventure’? Comment below.
Good idea, help open up this country and give alternatives for transport
I reckon it would be a great thing to do. It would make it about 1100klm less to travel from Adelaide to Broome.
Great decision. This is the progress our great country needs. This decision along with the planned sealing of the Great Central Highway are right on the money. More access for all to enjoy let alone those who need good roads for safety and business purposes.
Yes, sealed these roads
Excellent idea. Not only would the Grey Nomads benefit but also the trucking industry. Let’s make sure the road is suitable for both.
They said they would seal the Mereenie Loop Rd (Larapinta Drive) back in 2005, so don’t hold your breath. Be a nice trip from Yulara, Watarrka through Tnorala and Tjoritja (West MacDonnells) to Alice, without needing a new suspension
Yes that would be a great decision to seal these.roads making it a lot easier and less wear and tear on your car to visit these places .creating more opportunities, and bringing money to these isolated communities. I travelled the Mereenie loop.back in 2019 with my daughter heading to Kings Canyon from Alice Springs, in My ford station wagon .with the 150km unsealed section taking around 5 hours . how much smoother and shorter it would be if this Road was sealed through some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery. I hope to see it sealed very soon in the future then I will be definitely back.