A proposed new transport corridor traversing Australia from the south west to the north east is set to add an important link to the national road network. It will also open up the Centre to far reaching development potential. The proposal aims, through a partnership between Federal, State, Territory and Local Government, to seal the road link from Laverton in Western Australia to Winton in Queensland.
Since European settlement Australia’s main population centres have been scattered around the coast, most particularly in the south east. Lack of safe and predictable road routes inland have contributed to this trend and have significantly restricted opportunities to populate and develop the potential of inland Australia.
Councillor Patrick Hill of Laverton Shire Council and Chairman of the Outback Highway Development Council, said the proposed new road link will change this.
“It will cut 600 kilometres off the route and significantly reduce costs for local communities,” he said. “In addition, it will create new opportunities for business, industry, tourism and access to health and education facilities for people living there.
“Above all, it will open up inland Australia to the rest of the nation and has the potential to significantly contribute to economic growth in this country.”
The Outback Highway will travel through Warburton where a $3 million Aboriginal cultural centre is being built; Uluru; Alice Springs; Boulia, home of the min min lights; and on to Winton where it rejoins existing sealed roads.
The Western Australian Government has already committed itself to spending $25 million to seal the section from Laverton to the Northern Territory border. Work is due to commence early in 1999.
The Queensland Government has committed $24 million to the project and has already started. Much of the Northern Territory section is already sealed with the NT Government upgrading the route from Alice Springs to Glenormiston. The Federal Government is yet to commit itself but the project has the enthusiastic support of many Federal parliamentarians.
Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald has recently travelled the road in its current state.
“The potential for tourism and the many worthwhile experiences along the route including the Aboriginal cultural centre at Warburton are enormous,” he said.
For further information contact Patrick Hill, telephone 0419 925 371.
