27 May  Final hurdle looms for Bruce Highway alternative completion

14 May 2024

It’s simply illogical that out of a 2,800-kilometre route, only 11 kilometres remains unsealed, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has said.

After more than a decade of advocacy by the Member for Traeger, only 11 kilometres of dirt remains on the Kennedy Developmental Road (or Hann Highway).

Mr Katter secured initial funding for the project which began work in 2020.  When fully sealed, the route would shave up to 13 hours off a trip from Cairns to Melbourne.

“North Queensland has some of the finest agricultural produce, and it is imperative that we enable efficient transport to the lucrative southern markets.

“With so much attention on the Bruce Highway and its challenges, here’s an opportunity to take some of the freight off it and keep it away from vulnerable passenger traffic,” he said.

The Kennedy Developmental Road Links Hughenden and The Lynd and was first developed during World War Two as a north south supply line west of the divide – away from the high rainfall areas on the coast.

Mr Katter was pleased to hear discussions regarding the remaining sealing works took place at the recent North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) meeting.

“A fully sealed Kennedy Developmental Road will also contribute immensely to regional development and benefit every industry and town along the route, with increased freight traffic providing service industry opportunities,” Mr Katter said.

“The completion of sealing the route presents opportunities for small outback towns such as Hughenden.

“I am working closely with local governments and other agencies to understand the hurdles hindering the completion of the sealing project, and will be pursuing State Government funding, and Federal Government funding in conjunction with the Federal member for Kennedy”, Mr Katter said.

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