29 Sep 2016 North Register, QLD Section: General News • Article type : News Item • Classification : Rural Audience : 2,827 • Page: 6 • Printed Size: 521.00cm² • Market: QLD • Country: Australia Words: 399 • Item ID: 664083182

Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence. Page 1 of 2 North’sroadprojectsnamed Northern roads get funding greenlight IN TOWNSVILLE last week local region and for the na- Acting Prime Minister and and the new Port Road and tional economy. Minister for Agriculture and provide tangible evidence of “We’ll continue to identify Water Resources Barnaby the Federal Government’s projects to further enhance Joyce announced approxi- development plans for the liveability and productiv- mately $81 million in funding Northern Australia,” Senator ity of North Queensland.” support has been earmarked McDonald said. The projects are jointly for northern road upgrades. funded by the Australian and Under the Northern Queensland governments. Australia Roads Programme, Queensland Minister for more than $33 million has Main Roads, Road Safety and been set aside for two pro- This type of Ports Mark Bailey said the jects along the Flinders High- State Government shares the investment has way, one between Townsville Federal Government’s com- ‘‘ and and the apay-offfor mitment to improving key other between Charters Tow- roads in the North. both the local ers and Richmond. “The Flinders Highway is a region and for Close to $43 million will be critical hinterland road link spent on widening and seal- the national to major northern centres ing works on the Kennedy economy. Developmental Road, and and this investment will ad- Minister Barnaby Joyce $5 million will go towards dress issues such as ageing intersection upgrades on the road surfaces, flooding and Barkly Highway in . safety risks posed by traffic Minister Joyce said the ranging from road trains to programme was created to tourist vehicles,”he said. fund high-priority projects Senator Ian Macdonald essential to northern eco- said the road from Towns- nomic development. ville to Mount Isa is such an “The North has vast po- important part of the econo- tential for economic growth my of north Queensland and to benefit local communities this upgrade will mean effi- and the national economy,” ciencies and therefore bene- he said. fits and jobs for the north. “But to deliver on this “These works will also potential, it’s essential we complement the recently an- have an efficient and safe nounced Townsville Eastern transport network that Access Rail Corridor Project makes the north accessible for both freight and every- day transport. “This type of investment has a pay-off for both the 29 Sep 2016 North Queensland Register, Townsville QLD Section: General News • Article type : News Item • Classification : Rural Audience : 2,827 • Page: 6 • Printed Size: 521.00cm² • Market: QLD • Country: Australia Words: 399 • Item ID: 664083182

Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence. Page 2 of 2

ROAD REPAIR: Under the Northern Australia Roads Programme, more than $33 million has been set aside for two projects along the Flinders Highway one of which encompasses the stretch between Townsville and Torrens Creek.