The Western Australia Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to seal the remainder of Outback Way as part of a $678 million project to deliver a new strategic transport and tourism route with the eastern states.
The Outback Way is made up of seven interconnecting roads from Winton, Queensland through to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and finishing in Laverton, Western Australia. The track cuts right through the middle of Australia and totals 2800 kilometres.
The Federal Government has allocated $400 million to complete the 872-kilometre seal through Western Australia, with the WA Government committing a further $100 million towards the project. The remainder of the funding will help seal the road in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
This additional funding builds on the $330 million invested by the Federal Government since 2013 to seal over 600 kilometres of Outback Way.
In Western Australia, about $52 million has so far been spent to upgrade the route, with an additional $112 million already allocated for works over 147 kilometres through to 2025-26.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the upgrades would support 2,197 jobs, and deliver an important economic boost across Australia’s centre.
“Our additional investment of $678 million in Outback Way is part of our plan for a strong economy across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said $124 million of the fund will be spent on upgrades in the Northern Territory, creating 442 jobs.
“These upgrades will spark new opportunities for industries along the route, including the critical earth precincts north of Alice Springs, the gold precincts around Laverton and the massive beef industry, while ensuring communities and people on the corridor have better access to supplies,” Deputy Prime Minister sai
The road is critical in providing access to remote Aboriginal communities, with sealing to improve access to health and other services, while opening up rich mineral deposits east of Laverton. Work on the project is also providing ongoing employment and training opportunities for local Aboriginal people.
The project will see a new road link to the eastern states, which will provide a new freight and tourism route.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan thanked the Federal Government for their financial contribution to the project.
“This project will create thousands of local jobs and provide a new strategic freight route – shoring up our supply chains with the Eastern States and providing a third major road transport link in and out of Western Australia,” he said.
The entire 872 kilometre connection within WA will be sealed over the next seven years.
Related stories:
- Contractors progress 40km of Outback Way sealing in WA
- $20M contract awarded to seal part of the Outback Way
- Major upgrades underway for Perth’s Armadale rail line