CLP vows smooth path ahead with roads investment policy

THE Country Liberal Party has promised to focus on sealing and maintaining primary Territory roads and upgrading unsealed trucking routes if elected.

THE Country Liberal Party is vowing a smooth road for Territorians — literally.

Party leader Lia Finocchiaro will today release the party’s comprehensive plan, promising to focus on sealing and maintaining primary Territory roads and upgrading unsealed trucking routes.

The party will also work with the federal government to bring forward funding already committed under the commonwealth’s “Roads of Strategic Importance” program.

The CLP would invest in a “rip and reform” program to remove defects and corrugation on unsealed roads, while “rebuilding and reforming the road” to allow water drainage in a bid to cost effectively maintain it as it awaits sealing.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Che Chorley

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“No one can underestimate the importance of quality road infrastructure to the Territory, especially in our regional and remote areas,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“Good roads are critical for transport, supply lines, as well as for strategic defence purposes. They are also the key to unlocking new jobs and economic development in regional and remote areas.”

REGIONAL ROADS THAT CLP WOULD PRIORITISE

Identified ‘Roads of Strategic Importance’, with Commonwealth funding:

Adelaide River to Wadeye Corridor: Port Keats Road, Daly River Road and

Dorat Road – sealing and flood-proofing to ensure year-round access to

Wadeye from the Stuart Highway.

Mango Roads: Sections of Chibnall Road, Mocatto Road, Horsnell Road and

Kentish Road in the Litchfield Municipality – upgrades to improve transit

times for getting mangoes to market.

Alice Springs to Halls Creek Corridor: Tanami Road and Stuart Highway –

sealing and weather-proofing to aid mining projects and cattle stations in

getting product to market.

Newman to Katherine Corridor: Victoria Highway – surface improvements

and weather-proofing to ensure cattle stations can get product to market

and export.

Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor: Barkly Highway – surface

improvements and weather-proofing to ensure cattle stations can get

product to market and export.

Roads aiding economic development of Aboriginal communities: Central Arnhem

Road, Carpentaria Highway, Arnhem Link Road, Roper Highway, Port Melville Road

(Pirlangimpi), Santa Teresa Road, Sandover Highway – (sealing, flood-proofing and

general upgrades to increase access for Aboriginal communities to enhance social

connectivity and economic opportunity).

Other roads to open up industry and tourism: Buntine Highway (Cattle), Murandji

Road (cattle), Douglas-Daly Connector Road (Cotton/Mining/Timber), Larapinta

Drive/Mereenie Inner Loop of the Red Centre Way (Tourism), Tablelands Highway

Bridges (Cattle), Outback Way: Plenty Highway (Cattle/Tourism), Wollogorang Road

(Cattle/Tourism), Kakadu Roads (Tourism), Point Stuart Road (Fishing/Tourism).

Originally published as CLP vows smooth path ahead with roads investment policy