Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said under the plan, two sections of the Hann Highway will be upgraded with a focus on widening, strengthening and sealing works.

Between Mount Garnet and the Lynd, a three kilometre section of single lane sealed road will be widened and strengthened to two lanes.

In addition, 36km of the remaining 100km of unsealed road between The Lynd and Hughenden will be progressively upgraded.

“This is just the start of works and it’s important we continue to work with the State Government on a plan for the remaining unsealed sections of road,” he said.

“By allocating the funding progressively, it gives the local councils of Flinders and Etheridge Shire an opportunity to engage their workforce on the upgrades.”

Flinders Shire mayor and Hann Highway Action Group member Jane McNamara described the announcement as “amazing and wonderful”.

“Completely sealing the Hann will take a lot of traffic off the Bruce Highway, and will offer an alternative travel route during heavy rainfall periods during which the Bruce is prone to flooding,” Mrs McNamara said.

It’ll also be advantageous for the outback tourism industry as sightseers will be able to loop up north on the Bruce and come back down on the Hann,” she said.

In regards to the additional funding required by the state government to complete the works Mrs McNamara said that even though they haven’t made any guarantees yet, she’s confident they’ll come to the table.

The Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Matt Canavan, recently visited the area and is very supportive of the road being completed after driving on the unsealed sections.

“Sealing the Hann Highway will reduce the distance between Cairns and Melbourne by 800km in comparison with coastal routes, and save more than eight hours for trucks driving on the route,” Mr Canavan said.​