Mr GUNNER - 2010-11-25
- Can you please outline to the House the importance of the Territory’s transport network in developing A Working Future for Indigenous Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Transport networks are an integral part of the A Working Future policy. When we think about the A Working Future policy, the biggest policy bite is to look after the regional and remote areas in the Territory. When you look at the connectivity of health and education, and the opportunities for business and economic development, most importantly it is about the people and connecting the communities. When you talk about a budget in 2010-11 of $331m for roads, we are talking about $46m of that directly targeting our Territory growth towns, and that is great news.
If we start to deconstruct it into projects: $14m for the Central Arnhem Road; $20m for the Umbakumba Road; $2m on upgrading Sandover Highway country; and $10m for the Moyle floodplain and Tom Turner Crossing to Wadeye.
It is wonderful to work in the bush and a privilege to travel across the Territory and have conversations with communities which are preparing – work ready preparation, ensuring they can get a piece of the action, that they can claim a stake in these developments.
There is $6.2m over three years to upgrade facilities at barge landings in Nguiu, Gapuwiyak, Ramingining, Galiwinku, and Maningrida. I visited Maningrida and Ramingining, and have been talking to the communities about the opportunities of employment and business. It is now not about infrastructure alone, it is about developing economies. It is about improving its infrastructure to create opportunities to manage freight, handle freight - jobs. We are talking about airstrip upgrades, not only safety and security and connectivity, once again, jobs. The transport infrastructure and operations delivering jobs.
In relation to operations: $3.1m to support passenger bus service trials in the Top End and Centre over two years. That is an incredible amount of work from our government and, as a really good piece of news, the North East Arnhem Land service started in September. Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala, Wallaby Beach, Ski Beach, places I visited; a joint initiative between the Territory government, the Australian government, Yirrkala Business Enterprises, Rio Tinto Alcan Gove; all working together, improving access for the locals and developing jobs.
I am running out of time but this is an incredible story. In the Barkly there is $7bn for the Borroloola bridge over the McArthur River.
I am looking forward to continuing and completing the Integrated Regional Transport Strategy that ties this together. It is integral to the A Working Future policy, to the growth towns and to the Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016