Key routes across five states have been added to the National Land Transport Network, giving them access to federal funding
Key routes across five states have been added to the National Land Transport Network, giving them access to federal funding.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese today announced the seven roads to be included, saying it is necessary they have access to greater funding as demand on the road network increases.
The roads include the Western Motorway in NSW and the Townsville Ring Road in Queensland.
South Road in South Australia will also receive funding, as well as the Tasman and Brooker highways in Tasmania.
Western Australia will be the greatest beneficiary, with the Federal Government unlocking funds for three of the State’s routes.
This includes the Great Eastern Highway, Karratha Dampier Road and the Bunbury Port Access Road.
Although it only covers 3 percent of total road length, Albanese says the national network carries 18 percent of the country’s freight, with predictions of a significant increase in the coming decades.
“Central to the Government’s nation building agenda, and essential to Australia’s international competitiveness, is the national road network,” Albanese says.
He says the Government’s $24.2 billion roads budget will fund routine maintenance as well as upgrades to poorly designed and congested routes.
Albanese says this will increase safety, slash transport costs, cut travel time and reduce Australia’s carbon emissions.
The multi-billion road budget will be spent over a five-year period from 2008-2009 to 2013-2014.