General News
21 August, 2020
Peninsula Development Road Stage 2 works commence
Access to the Cape is improving with the completion of Stage 1 of the Cape York Region Package project and Stage 2 work due to commence soon to seal more than 15 kilometres of the Peninsula Developmental Road.
Stage 2 will further open up access to Cape York while strengthening the road against flooding.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Cape York Region Package continues to create benefits for local communities across the region through better access to health services, employment, education and training opportunities,” Mr McCormack said.
“The works will seal an 11.2-kilometre section between Kennedy and Rocky Creek awarded to the Bama Civil and Downer EDI Joint Venture and a 4.4-kilometre section at Fairview West awarded to RoadTek.
“These projects are about getting people home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said sealing the PDR would minimise closures due to flooding, improve transport efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and stimulate the tourism, agricultural, mining and pastoral industries in the region.
“The PDR has low reliability with extended and multiple road closures and periods of load restrictions each year due to flooding,” Mr Entsch said.
“Unsealed sections generally have substandard drainage and low levels of immunity at waterway crossings.
“When community access roads are closed or subject to load restrictions, road freight stops and has to be replaced by other transport means which can be many times more expensive.
“This is why we are fixing the PDR for local communities and businesses and the regional economy.”
Regional Development Australia Tropical North chair David Kempton said the organisation had worked consistently with TMR and all levels of government to deliver the program management and governance requirements of the Cape York Regional Package to ensure its delivery.
“From its inception Regional Development Australia Tropical North has been a keen advocate and stakeholder of the Cape York Region Package,” Mr Kempton said.
“Improving access across Cape York is vital to our regional growth.
“Progressive sealing of the PDR is opening up further tourism opportunities in our region and facilitating the transportation of goods and export produce from FNQ’s agricultural areas.
“As the former State Member for Cook and initiator of the CYRP Taskforce, I am delighted to see the employment and education opportunities this project has brought to the indigenous communities living along the PDR.”
The projects are jointly funded by the Australian Government committing $25.4 million and the Queensland Government committing $6.3 million.
Stage 2 sealing works are expected to be completed by late 2020.
The $276 million Cape York Region Package Project is jointly funded by the Australian Government committing $220.8 million and the Queensland Government committing $55.2 million.
