The Territory Labor Governments job-creating project to bituminise the Litchfield Park Road loop is a step closer to completion, with a tender now open to undertake the roads final upgrade and sealing.
The project will support 80 jobs and create a sealed loop through Litchfield National Park. This will provide year-round access for local residents, Litchfield National Park visitors and pastoral and agriculture industries.
These works - alongside the $12.1 million to develop adventure opportunities in Litchfield National Park as part of Turbocharging Tourism - will provide additional visitor capacity within the park and support five new stunning swimming spots, 4WD tracks, new campgrounds and more picnic areas.
It is estimated this expansion will support an additional 60,000 visitors annually, providing a significant boost to regional tourism.
The completion of the Litchfield Park Road loop will deliver year-round access by increased flood immunity and improvements in safety, with the thoroughfare previously becoming impassable during the wet season due to flooding at the Finniss River.
Construction will feature the installation of a new bridge over the Finniss River and a sealed two-lane, two-way rural arterial road with a speed limit up to 100km/hr.
It is anticipated all of the newly sealed road will be open to the public prior to 2020-2021 wet season.
As stated by the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:
The Territory Labor Governments top priority is jobs. The Litchfield Park Road project will support 80 local jobs and improve access to the park, increasing its appeal to visitors.
The sealing will mean residents, tourists and the cattle industry will all have year-round access to Litchfield National Park and the surrounding area via the Stuart Highway through Batchelor or via Cox Peninsula Road.
As stated by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss:
The Territory Labor Government is investing $12.1 million into Litchfield National Park through the record Turbocharging Tourism Stimulus Plan to attract more visitors, create local jobs and put more money into the pockets of Territorians.
Litchfield is one of our most popular parks, and we have listened to what Territorians and travellers want more of, and the expansion will provide a significant boost to tourism.
