Outback roads project rolls on...

Upgrade works between Winton and Boulia on Queensland’s Outback Way have wrapped up, just as $24 million worth of upgrades on the Richmond-Winton Road get underway.

The progressive sealing of the Outback Way is part of the Federal Government’s $330 million plan to improve the 2,700-kilometre route that links Laverton in Western Australia, with Winton in Queensland.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud said in total, $26.45 million for sealing and widening had increased connectivity and reduced travel times.

“This is also an investment in improving access for remote and Indigenous communities to health and social services,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I am proud to see regional Queensland benefitting from the Federal Coalition Government’s record nationwide infrastructure investment, which is securing Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey said the $26 million Outback Way upgrades that started in 2018 had been delivered by a partnership between all three levels of government.

“There are more projects being rolled out on regional roads and highways than ever before thanks to the additional stimulus agreements we’ve made by working with the Federal Government to keep our economy moving,” Mr Bailey said.

“The projects that have just finished provided a reliable and continuous flow of work for local government road crews from Boulia and Winton over the past two years and supported local and regional economies during difficult times, including the emergence and ongoing management of COVID-19.”

Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister, Bruce Saunders said the Outback Way works were progressively delivered across five projects since 2018.

“The final project sealed 25 kilometres between Boulia and Tobermorey and means collectively, the projects paved and sealed 43 kilometres of the Outback Way and widened more than 24 kilometres,” he said.

“That makes a huge difference for locals and businesses moving freight because they know there is a safer and more dependable stretch of road between Winton and Boulia.

“More than 90% of the Outback Way in Queensland now fully sealed, which is a great example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together.”

The Australian Government contributed more than $21 million to deliver the five projects, with the Queensland Government committing about $3.6 million and Boulia Shire Council about $1.6 million.

For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects. More information on the Australian Government’s Outback Way investments is available on its Infrastructure Investment Program website.