More money is being spent on sealing longer stretches of roads on Queensland’s notoriously rugged Cape York.
The State Government has committed some $10 million in order to seal sections of the Peninsula Developmental Rd leading to Weipa. Roads in this part of the world are prone to severe damage during the wet season, causing ongoing problems for grey nomads and other tourists, as well as residents and transport operators.
The ABC reports that once the money combines with the Federal Government’s recently announced $210m package – which includes upgrades to the key thoroughfare and connecting roads – most of the road to Weipa would be sealed within five years.
“Weipa is the main economic and social artery in Cape York and this is the first major step in sealing the road there which provides a lot of opportunity for the mining, tourism and cattle industries,” said David Kempton, the Member for Cook. “Instead of coming back and repairing the same sections of the road year after year, it’s time to properly protect this valuable asset.”
Transport and Main Roads minister Scott Emerson said the State Government funded works were due to start in coming months and would be completed by the end of the year. He said the focus would be on two priority sections including a 16km stretch south of Sudley and a 9km section between Rocky Point and Koolburra.
Are you glad to see more of the Cape’s dirt roads sealed? Will it make you more likely to visit this part of the world? Comment below.
Oh this is what we have been waiting for…really want to go here but don’t have the off road equipment to do so…
Hi Sheree,
It is a long way from Weipa to the top on the dirt. Hopefully it will be a few years before they take all the adventure out of Cape York. (there are alternatives for you if you don’t have all the right gear)
Regards Tony
Glad I have done most of these off road adventures because as so as they put bitumen to them they become destroyed by grots that use these pristine places like rubbish dumps.
The people I feel sorry for is our grandchildren because they will not enjoy the beauty of places I have seen in all it’s pristine glory
So glad I visited Cape York in 1995, it was a real adventure then!