– Sealing works are now complete on two of the four 2016 Peninsula Developmental Road projects
– The works are part of the $260.5 million Cape York Region Package
– Once all four projects are complete, the Cape York Region Package will have sealed over 248 kilometres of road, which equates to over 50 per cent of the PDR.
Sealing works have now finished on the Musgrave and Little Laura to Fairview Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) projects, making travel safer and more reliable on the Cape.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the PDR is the backbone of the Cape York road network, with the sealing works already benefitting the community.
“These works are connecting remote Cape York communities while creating greater economic, training and employment opportunities for local workers, businesses, suppliers and training providers,” Mr Chester said.
“This investment will see up to 280 direct jobs supported over the life of these four sealing projects, a great outcome for the local community.”
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said it was great to see so many looming milestones on the project.
“The Cape York Region Package is in its third year of delivery with close to 100km of the PDR having been newly sealed through this program,” Mr Entsch said.
“Sealing works of the 22km Coen South and the 13km Archer to Wolverton projects are scheduled to continue this week. These two projects are expected to be completed by mid-2017, weather permitting.
“I am looking forward to the completion of the entire Cape York Region Package in mid-2019.”
Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the project had created a range of employment opportunities for residents.
“A key focus of the CYRP is to provide employment and training opportunities to Indigenous people, and work opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses local to Cape York,” Mr Bailey said.
“As of 30 November 2016, 77 Indigenous people, including 31 trainees were employed on the sealing and gravel production projects on the PDR. In addition, 18 Indigenous businesses/Joint Ventures were working on or sub-contracted to the projects at that point in time.
“These are excellent results that reflect the Australian and Queensland Government’s working commitment’s to deliver vital infrastructure to the state of QLD.”
The $260.5 million Cape York Region Package is jointly funded, with the Australian Government providing $208.4 million and the Queensland Government providing $52.1 million.
