Media Releases

Shaping the Vision for Adelaide's South

Another important step has been taken in developing Adelaide's dedicated north-south corridor with a $6 million contract awarded for a planning study for the South Road upgrade at Darlington.

More Level Crossing Upgrades Completed In Victoria

A further nine level crossing upgrades funded in Victoria under the Rudd Labor Government's Economic Stimulus Package have now been completed.

$1.1 M For Bridge Assessments In Canberra

Infrastructure and Local Government Minister Anthony Albanese and ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope have announced the start of necessary assessments of bridges along four priority freight routes within the ACT.

$5.9 Million Boost For Remote Aerodromes

Much needed improvements at 44 remote and isolated aerodromes will now proceed following the approval of funding from the Rudd Labor Government's Remote Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP).

Construction Full Steam Ahead on Eastern Access Corridor

Construction of the Townsville Port Access Road is forging ahead with full construction works commencing on the second stage of the project.
(Media release issued by James Bidgood Federal Member for Dawson and Craig Wallace Queensland Minister for Main Roads)

M80 Ring Road Alliance Partners Selected

The $2.25 billion M80 Ring Road upgrade is one step closer with the VicRoads alliance partners for the first major works between Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road announced today.

Free-Flowing Traffic At Centenary Highway Interchange

The opening of new right-hand turn movements from the Centenary Highway to the Ipswich Motorway signalled a significant milestone in the transformation of the western corridor, Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace and Federal Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll said.

$25 Million Final Stage Begins on Main Road 92 Upgrade

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, and NSW Roads Minister, Michael Daley, today announced that work has started on the third and final stage of the Main Road 92 upgrade between Nowra and Nerriga.

Maldon-Dombarton Rail Link

The Rudd Government today commits a further $3 million to move to the next stage of assessing the feasibility of a rail line between Maldon and Port Kembla via Dombarton.
(Media release issued by Wayne Swan MP Treasurer, Sharon Bird MP Member for Cunningham and Jennie George MP Member for Throsby)

$56 Million Brought Forward to Help WA Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered more than $56 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to Western Australian councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

$113 Million Brought Forward to Help VIC Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered nearly $113 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to Victorian councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

$15.5 Million Brought Forward to Help TAS Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered $15.5 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to Tasmanian councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

$33 Million Brought Forward to Help SA Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered nearly $33 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to South Australian councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

$94 Million Brought Forward to Help QLD Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered more than $94 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to Queensland councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recessions.

$7 Million Brought Forward to Help NT Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered nearly $7 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to the Northern Territory councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

$151 Million Brought Forward to Help NSW Councils Deal with Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered nearly $151 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to New South Wales councils to help them deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

$10 Million Brought Forward to Help ACT Deal With Global Economic Recession

The Rudd Labor Government has delivered more than $10 million in early Financial Assistance Grants payments to the Australian Capital Territory to help it deal with the local impacts of the global economic recession.

Bridge Strengthening Projects on the way in Tasmania

Work to strengthen four key bridges between Hobart and Burnie will soon start.

Contractor Announced for Pacific Motorway Upgrade

Construction on the highly-anticipated $422 million Pacific Motorway Upgrade from Springwood south to Daisy Hill is imminent, improving traffic flow and safety for the 140,000 motorists who travel the route each day.
(Media Release issued by Craig Emerson Member for Rankin, and Craig Wallace Queensland Minister for Main Roads)

Federal Investment in Tasmania's Rail Infrastructure

The Federal Government has finalised details of its $195 million investment in Tasmania's rail infrastructure following the decision by Asciano to cease its rail operations by 30 November 2009.

Works Begin on Future Gold Coast Transport Hub Connection

The Federal and State governments today turned the first sod to mark the start of construction on the $80 million Varsity Lakes Interchange (Exit 85) upgrade on the Pacific Motorway (M1).

Green Light for Project Means Jobs, Jobs, Jobs for the Coast

Work will start on the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system within weeks creating thousands of jobs and building the infrastructure that Australia's fastest growing city needs, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.
(Media Release issued by Anna Bligh Premier of Queensland, Justine Elliot Minister for Ageing and Ron Clarke Gold Coast Mayor )

Oil Spill Ship Must Pay All Clean Up Costs

Premier Anna Bligh and the Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese will demand the owners of the Moreton Bay oil spill ship Pacific Adventurer pay the full costs of the environmental disaster.

More Truck Parking Bays on the Way for the Territory

Design work is complete on three new parking bays for truck drivers using the Territory's highways, providing them with additional safe places to take a break or check their loads.

Transport Regulations to be Streamlined

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has today agreed to historic microeconomic reforms that will streamline the regulations applying to the nation's $46 billion transport sector.

Opening of Centre for Maritime Simulations

Today I had the pleasure of officially opening the Australian Maritime College's new maritime simulator.

National Rollout of KEYS2DRIVE

The national rollout of keys2drive - an innovative driver education program which will provide up to 200,000 free driving lessons to learner drivers and their parents - has begun.

Blasting Begins on $110 Million Tiger Brennan Extension

Work on the $110 million Tiger Brennan Drive Extension entered a new phase today with about 120,000 cubic metres of land "blasted" at Berrimah Farm in Darwin to make way for the new 7.5km four-lane dual highway extension.
(Media Release issued by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Member for Solomon Damian Hale).

Economic Stimulus: Killawarra Passing Loop Upgrade Completed

The modernisation of the Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane rail corridor continues unabated with the upgrade of a major passing loop at Killawarra in northern NSW now completed.