General News
2 April, 2025
Election called: 11km of vital road to finally be sealed
The budget was one of the last things ticked off by the government before the election was called.
Flinders Shire mayor Kate Peddle says she is glad to have one less thing to fight for heading into the federal election after funding to seal the last 11km of dirt on the Kennedy Developmental Road was put into the budget last week.
The road, also known as the Hann Highway, is a crucial route that can act as an inland link for freight carriers.
Cr Peddle said the road was central to tourism, horticulture, freight, and cattle movement through North Queensland.
“I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support from both Bob Katter and Robbie Katter,” she said.
“Their dedication to the region, political muscle, relentless lobbying and understanding of its challenges have been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. This, combined with the support of Advance Cairns and the North West Regional Organisation of Councils (NWROC), have united to secure our commitment.”
NOT DONE YET
Putting bitumen on the road won’t be enough to make it a true inland highway, the mayor said, pointing to river crossings at Bundock and Einsleigh that frequently go under during the wet season.
The federal budget allocation of $70 million should go a long way to getting those crossings improved, Cr Peddle said.
“Though this section is located in the Etheridge Shire, here at Flinders we couldn’t be more excited,” she said.
“This again demonstrates our strength in united efforts with aligned priorities. I look forward to speaking with mayor Barry Hughes in Etheridge to explore how our crews can assist once construction begins. With a camp in Flinders just south of the section needing completion, we can potentially work towards cost savings, allowing the funding to extend further.”
Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said the milestone achievement underscored the importance of people power.
“As is always the case in the regions, we have to fight very hard to get the kind of funding and attention that is taken for granted in the cities,” he said.
“The sealing of this final stretch will open up huge economic opportunity in that the southern states will be now connected to Far North Queensland via a proper inland highway, and will just generally reduce the north’s transport network vulnerabilities – something we have all been acutely reminded of given this very intense current wet season.”
BUDGET FALLS SHORT
Bob Katter, who is about to contest his 12th federal election, welcomed the funding for the Kennedy Developmental Road, but said the overall budget fell short of expectations.
The veteran MP voiced strong opposition to the federal government’s approach to critical minerals, noting its obvious omission from the key budget documents.
“The critical minerals sector is a strategic asset for this country, and yet the government is sitting on its backside while promising that we’ll be swimming in wealth,” he said.
“We’ll be drowning in foreign ownership and green tape.
“The so-called ‘use it or lose it’ legislation is needed to address the bottlenecks in mineral extraction, but the reality is that new mines are being held to ransom by unnecessary regulations.
“Significant investment is required to ensure Mount Isa remains the industrial and service hub of the North West Minerals Province.
“This budget lacks that detail.”
The Member for Kennedy said the budget response from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was more to his liking, pointing to the Coalition’s commitment to a reserve resource policy – a policy Mr Katter has championed for more than a decade.
“But let’s see if the LNP are serious about this or not, or if it is just another ‘polly promise’ on election eve,” he said.
The federal election will be held on Saturday, May 3, with candidate nominations to be finalisted on April 11.