MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Coat of Arms

13 May 2008
BUDGET-INFRA 08/2008

$78 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Rudd Government will invest $78 million in nation-building road projects in the Northern Territory - including nearly $9 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start on $8.8 million worth of projects that weren't due to commence in the Northern Territory until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

The Northern Territory's Budget infrastructure package will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and make our roads safer.

Our $8.8 million to make an early start on election commitments includes works on:

  • Ports Keats Road;

  • Tanami Road;

  • Plenty Highway; and

  • Buntine Highway.

Overall 2008-09 funding commitments for essential transport infrastructure include:

  • $41.5 million for construction and to maintain the Territory's 2,652 kilometres of road, including works on Tiger Brennan Drive, as part of the road and rail National Land Transport Network;

  • $2 million for four AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;

  • $5.3 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program, which is in addition to the $13.5 million allocated to roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants;

  • $6.4 million under the Roads to Recovery Program for local roads in the unincorporated areas of the Territory; and

  • $0.7 million to eliminate five road safety black spots'.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with the states and territories during 2008.

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Media Contacts

Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890

 

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_08-2008.htm