Media Release

KENNEDY MP, Bob Katter has welcomed news that $185m of upgrades to inland Queensland highways will be fast-tracked, including vital freight and tourism corridors in the Kennedy Electorate such as the Hann and Flinders Highways, Gulf Development Road and Gregory Highway.

Mr Katter said the Hann Highway was arguably the most important infrastructure challenge for north Qld as it cuts over 700km off the journey from Melbourne to the fruit and vegetable bowl of Australia (far north Qld).

“It also provides us with the benefit of back-loading temperate fruit and vegetables; while we can send bananas, avocados, pineapples and papaws south, they can send citrus and apples north very cheaply,” he said.

“You have to remember we pay GST on transport costs.“

Mr Katter also acknowledged that the benefit and necessity of these inland routes is appreciated every year when cyclonic and monsoonal downpours cut off the coastal Bruce Highway.

“Upgrading and improving this link is vital to maintain tourism and freight routes all year round,” he said.

The Member for Kennedy said the upgrades would compliment other north Qld infrastructure projects such as the irrigation schemes at Richmond and Hughenden.

“With Hughenden there will be 80 or 90 cattle fattening farms, so being able to safely and efficiently bring cattle down from the Gulf will be a fantastic boon for the industry,” he said.

“Quartering works in the Mid-West towns will be inevitable.”

Mr Katter has held several meetings with Assistant Minister Hon. Scott Buchholz and senior department officials and would like to thank them for the announcement and continued support.

“The work of the Cairns and Townsville Main Roads offices must also be acknowledged,” he said.

“But most of all we thank the people that have never lost heart or commitment, including past mayors and residents, when people like me believed we were never going to win.

“We will continue to advocate for the sealing of the Hann freight corridor including the Torrens Creek/Aramac Road section.”

—ENDS—