Growing the Territory: $2M to Upgrade Top End Beef Roads
April 20th, 2010 | by admin |
The Territory Government will continue to support the Territorys pastoral and agricultural industries with an extra $2 million in Budget 2010 to upgrade key roads in the Douglas Daly region.
Construction Minister Gerry McCarthy said $2 million will be spent to upgrade key transport routes including the Oolloo, Fleming, Cadell, Jungawa, Illawarra and Boomjie roads.
The Territory Government is delivering road upgrades to grow the Territory for the future while delivering for families and producers now, Mr McCarthy said.
Business and Employment Minister Rob Knight said the Douglas Daly Region is a key pastoral, agricultural and horticultural production hub with production estimated to be worth $10 million per year.
Industries and produce in the region includes cattle and hay, mixed horticulture such as melons and turf, and timber production.
This is a significant investment to support industry in the region and our export trade, helping producers to get their products to market here and overseas, Mr Knight said.
Keeping the roads open for longer during the wet season through targeted roads improvements is also important to the many families living in the region to help them access key services such as health and education.
Mr McCarthy said the investment will target priority areas for improvement to strengthen the roads to reduce road closures and weight restrictions. It will also help reduce vehicle maintenance costs, particularly for heavy vehicle operators.
The Department of Lands and Planning will consult with local residents and producers, the Cattlemans Association and Trucking Association to identify priority sections for upgrade under this investment.
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