ROBBIE Katter has called for the games to stop between levels of government about who will fund a nation-building highway, as the Hann Hwy missed out on money in the federal budget on Tuesday.
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There was no mention of the road in the budget papers but the State Member for Mount Isa has called on the Federal Government to show it was serious about developing the North by completing the sealing of the Hann Highway.
“It’s a project of nation-building significance and aligns with aspirations to develop Northern Australia,” he said.
“Sealing the Hann Highway is one of the greatest opportunities in terms of infrastructure and we are at the point where we need a commitment. We need a government with a vision that will commit to this important development.”
Mr Katter was optimistic the State Government would fund its share of the $200 million project but said the Federal Government must deliver.
“The games between the federal and state governments about who is going to go first have to stop,” he said.
The benefits of sealing the Hann Highway would open up development and industry in the North whilst giving an alternative to the flood-prone Bruce Highway, Mr Katter said.
“The benefits for agriculture, freight, cattle and tourism are far too great for governments to sit on their hands and not commit to infrastructure such as the Hann Highway.”
“If the Hann Highway is sealed it means the banana industry - which is Australia’s single biggest horticulture industry - has a transport corridor to get its produce from Far North Queensland to the Melbourne and Sydney markets eight hours earlier.”
“One triple road train on the Hann Highway can take two B-Doubles off the Bruce Highway, making significant savings in road maintenance and improving safety.”
“Not only are there wide-ranging benefits for the North and all of Queensland, but it would also give the struggling towns in my electorate a much-needed employment and economic boost.
“This is an industry-enabling opportunity that will pay for itself in the long run through industry stimulation and development.
“We’ve had enough talk, we need action.”
In the Federal government’s White Paper on Developing Northern Australia the Hann Highway was listed as one of seven priority road projects for $600 million of funding.
