Freight operators throughout the Northern Territory will soon experience safer, faster and more reliable travel along key freight routes thanks to the Liberal and Nationals Government’s $3.5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $492.3 million to upgrade priority freight routes in the Northern Territory, maximising benefits for industry and communities in the region.
"We have consulted with industry, councils and local communities to identify which key corridors would be upgraded to increase the reliability of key routes, improve links between regional communities and essential services and reduce freight travel times and cost," Mr McCormack said.
"By targeting our investment on priority road corridors used by agricultural, mining and other industries, we will ensure upgrades delivered through the ROSI initiative will provide more reliable infrastructure to improve connections across the supply chain and to ports, airports and transport hubs."
Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport Scott Buchholz led the consultation session with local stakeholders in Darwin last year and said regional communities and industries across the Territory will benefit from the funding injection.
"The key corridors in the Northern Territory to receive upgrades include the Alice Springs to Darwin, Newman to Katherine, Alice Springs to Halls Creek corridors, Tennant Creek to Townsville and Adelaide River to Wadeye corridors," Mr Buchholz said.
"It’s about making roads across the north more resilient to the wet season to keep communities connected and boost economic output for the territory.
"Now that we have determined the priority corridors to be funded under the ROSI initiative, we will work with the Territory and local governments, and other stakeholders to identify and deliver the priority projects".
Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion said the ROSI investments in the Northern Territory complemented other road upgrade programs and investments underway in the north of Australia.
"The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is absolutely committed to northern Australia and our ROSI investment builds on our investments in the Northern Australia Roads Program and the Beef Roads Program," Senator Scullion said.
"The upgrades under ROSI will make a big difference to road reliability for all the freight operators and communities who rely on these essential corridors, increasing flood immunity and boosting safety and efficiency through sealing, realigning routes, building bridges and widening roads."
