Media Release 7 June 2012
Council’s highway to disappointment
The Etheridge Shire Council has been left reeling after Regional Development Australia (RDA) announced it would not be providing funding for further upgrading of the Hann Highway.
Etheridge Mayor Will Attwood said he was disappointed the application for Regional Development Australia funding had been unsuccessful during the second round of grant allocations.
Cr Attwood said the Hann Highway was critical to the region because it provided an inland route for heavy vehicle transport from Cairns to Melbourne and all the cities and towns in between.
The councils had planned to upgrade an 8km stretch of highway towards Hughenden.
“Work would have included flood proofing and upgrading a large section of the Hann Highway, which when completed would be an important part of the Queensland Transport system and would be fully sustainable and viable,” Cr Attwood said.
“We are at a loss to explain the RDA’s reasoning as we have certainly addressed all the criteria during the grant application process.
“Upgrades such as this will provide a safer alternative for north and southbound traffic – keeping heavy vehicles off the Bruce Highway which is heavily utilised by light passenger vehicles.”
The Etheridge and Flinders Shire councils jointly submitted the application, which had already attracted funding from other departments, including Transport and Main Roads (DTMR).
Council was equipped and ready to undertake the work and maintain the highway.
“A fully functioning north/south inland transport corridor traversing all of Queensland and then linking with the Newell Highway in New South Wales will greatly assist with the economic growth of the far northern region of Queensland,” Cr Attwood said.
“Again the bush has missed out.”
Mayor Will Attwood is available for comment by telephoning 0458 621 233.
