Prime Minister Pledges to Seal Missing Link in Inland Freight Route to North Queensland

Prime Minister Pledges to Seal Missing Link in Inland Freight Route

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to complete the sealing of the Kennedy Developmental Road, a crucial missing link in an inland freight route to North Queensland. This announcement comes amidst community frustration over grocery shortages in the region caused by recent widespread flooding.

The floods, which began almost two weeks ago, blocked and damaged parts of the Bruce Highway, the primary coastal route for transporting goods to North Queensland. This disruption left trucks unable to deliver fresh produce, leading to empty supermarket shelves.

The closure of the Bruce Highway highlighted the lack of a reliable alternative inland route. The Kennedy Developmental Road, which runs parallel to the Bruce Highway, remains unsealed for a 10.8-kilometer stretch. This unsealed section has prevented trucks from using the road during the floods.

In response to a question in parliament from Kennedy MP Bob Katter, Prime Minister Albanese vowed to complete the sealing of the road. He acknowledged the importance of this project, stating that it was an example of "stuff that needs to be done better."

The sealing of the Kennedy Developmental Road, also known as the Hann Highway, has been a top priority for Advance Cairns, a Far North Queensland lobby group. Chairman Nick Trompf emphasized that if the road between Hughenden and the Lynd had been sealed, supply transport could have continued during the floods.

Mr. Trompf estimated the cost of sealing the road to be around $30 million. The rest of the route's upgrade was progressively funded by the previous government until December 2023, with approximately $120 million spent to seal roughly 80 kilometers of the road.

The completion of the Hann Highway will provide North Queensland with a vital alternative route during emergencies like the current floods. MP Bob Katter stressed the urgency of this project, highlighting the isolation and hardship faced by the region during the recent disaster.

Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle echoed the importance of a viable inland route, expressing frustration that the lack of a sealed road had prevented the region from providing much-needed supplies during the floods.

While the announcement is welcomed by many, some, like Mareeba papaya grower Gerard Kath, have already suffered losses due to the delayed completion of the road. Mr. Kath has had 80 pallets of fresh fruit stranded for ten days, with a significant portion expected to be unusable.

Despite the losses incurred during this event, the sealing of the Hann Highway is a positive step towards improving the resilience and connectivity of North Queensland. This project will ensure that the region is better prepared for future emergencies and can continue to receive essential supplies even when the Bruce Highway is impassable.