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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

Negotiations over ‘Australia’s biggest shortcut’ near an end

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Negotiations with traditional owner groups appear close to completion, potentially allowing work to resume on the Western Australian section of the 2,719-kilometre Outback Way.
  • More than A$1.2 billion has been committed to seal the remote route by 2032, but land-use agreements have delayed construction.
  • New assessments cover a proposed 171-kilometre section, while local representatives hope construction can begin after Christmas or early next year.

Years of negotiations with several traditional owner groups appear to be nearing an end, raising hopes that Australia’s long-promised outback shortcut can finally move ahead.

The Outback Way runs 2,719 kilometres across central Australia, from Laverton in Western Australia’s northern Goldfields to Winton in Queensland. More than A$1.2 billion has been committed to seal the remote route by 2032. In Western Australia, however, roadworks have been on hold for four years while authorities work to secure Indigenous Land Use Agreements in areas covered by a visitor permit system.

There are stretches of this road that do not fall within any native title claims, and still no progress has been made. It’s bureaucracy.

· Rick WilsonThe Western Australian Liberal MP criticised the pace of progress in federal parliament.

The Western Australian section follows the Great Central Road for 736 kilometres from Laverton to the Northern Territory. The delays prompted WA Liberal MP Rick Wilson to accuse the state government in federal parliament of moving at a “glacial pace.” “There are stretches of this road that do not fall within any native title claims, and still no progress has been made. It’s bureaucracy,” he said.

nationally significant

· Ralph AddisThe Ngaanyatjarra Council major projects adviser described the Outback Way.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti defended the government’s approach, saying that securing all approvals and registered agreements would support the project’s long-term success. The project also aims to provide training, employment and economic opportunities for local and Aboriginal people and businesses.

In the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, representatives of the Yilka, Nangaanya-ku and Yarnangu communities have been involved in discussions with Main Roads and the state government. Ralph Addis of the Ngaanyatjarra Council called the highway “nationally significant,” while Outback Highway Development Council chairman Pat Hill said communities had all contributed to the negotiations. Both expressed support for work to begin as soon as possible.

We’re hearing early next year for construction … we think the earliest works can start, the better for all concerned

· Ralph AddisHe expressed hope that construction would begin soon.

New documents show that Main Roads has completed a clearing assessment and biological survey for sealing a 171-kilometre section. The source text ends while describing the proposed clearing of native vegetation.

From what I’ve heard it will be starting just after Christmas … the sooner the better, obviously.

· Pat HillThe Outback Highway Development Council chairman said he expected work to start soon.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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