Another AU$200m is invested under the Northern Australia Roads Programme (NARP). The additional AU$300m funding was announced by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, yesterday (Monday 24 October).
The Beef Roads Programme is designed to improve roads that are essential to cattle transportation, and to help develop cattle resilience.
“The Beef Roads Programme recognises moving cattle from the farmgate to market involves some of the longest and most challenging land transport distances of any industry, anywhere in the world,” said Chester.
“The beef roads and NARP programmes will support economic development in the north by funding targeted upgrades on key roads necessary for transporting cattle – improving the resilience of cattle supply chains, improving safety, and reducing travel times, vehicle operating and maintenance costs.
“The Australian Government is committed to delivering jobs, productivity improvements and economic growth to all Australians and is investing AU$50bn in key infrastructure projects across Australia to achieve this,” continued Chester.
The government has partnered with the Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia governments, each of which has committed to providing a co-contribution for these projects. The NARP and Beef Roads initiatives will be funded on an 80:20 basis.