Derby-Gibb River Rd upgrading will increase transport efficiency

13/2/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton says transport safety and efficiency will be greatly improved under the current major upgrading of the Derby-Gibb River Road.

Mr Charlton, speaking at Derby during the launch of the Kimberley Transport Strategy, said the $32 million upgrade of the 645-kilometre Derby-Gibb River Road over the next 10 years was long overdue.

"A total of $20 million will be allocated for the road over the life of the funding program, again demonstrating the Government's commitment to improving road infrastructure in the far North," he said.

Mr Charlton said the Derby-Gibb River Roads was a major route linking pastoral stations, Aboriginal communities and the towns of Derby and Wyndham and was of growing importance as a tourist route.

"It carries livestock and general freight, although in its present form it is subject to closure due to seasonal flooding for up to five months of the year," he said.

The upgrading program required the construction and sealing of a number of 'jump-ups' or steep inclines, improvements to waterway crossings and the road profile and gravel sheeting of the entire road.

Mr Charlton said construction and sealing of the jump-ups would improve freight efficiencies and reduce transport delays and pastoralists would benefit from the more timely delivery of stock in better condition.

Works on the Derby-Gibb River Road over the next 15 months included:

·       gravel sheeting of 12 kilometres near Mt House turnoff to Beverley Springs turnoff and 11 kilometres from Queen Victoria Head Napier Range towards the Leopold Ranges;

·       5.5 kilometres at various locations either side of the Leopold Ranges and 17 kilometres between Adcock Gorge turnoff, Galvans Gorge turnoff and Manning Gorge turnoff;

·       gravel sheeting of 11 kilometres on the Wyndham-Gibb River section;

·       construction of the March Fly jump-up;

·       construction of new jump-ups between Home Valley and Bindoola Creek and near Durack River Station turnoff; and -

·       gravel sheeting seven kilometres between Campbell Creek and Russ Creek.

"The level and detail of the upgrading program has been made possible only by the Additional Funding Program for roads, provided under the extra four cents a litre State fuel levy," Mr Charlton said.

Media contact: Ian Hasleby 321 7333