With parts of the Bruce Highway closed due to flooding Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter is calling for funding to finish sealing the Hann Highway as an alternative access.
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“Finishing the Hann Highway will provide an inland route linking Cairns to Melbourne, saving approximately 750km off the trip,” Mr Katter said.
“It provides an alternate road to the Bruce Highway when it floods, which happens at least once each year, which will ensure continued access to markets year round.”
Mr Katter said sealing the highway would ensure North Queensland’s products such as fruit and vegetables and cattle gets to southern markets faster.
“It will allow road trains to travel the entire distance without needing to unhook their trailers, drastically reducing cost, maintenance, fuel and fatigue management,” he said.
”The Hann Highway is a critical element in the go-forward program for Northern Australia.”
In 2017 work was completed to seal 42km north of Hughenden at the cost of $53m.
There is only 60km of Hann Highway remaining to be sealed, mostly between Torrens Creek and Aramac.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
