Road access improvements for remote WA communities
There are approximately 270 remote communities in Western Australia, many of which are in the Kimberley region, 2,000 km from Perth. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 35,000 people live in remote areas of Western Australia. Many of these areas have limited transport access and poor freight connectivity. Existing roads are generally of low quality and some freight routes are unsealed. This:
- constrains access to employment, health and education services
- presents safety issues
- increases the costs of transporting goods
- reduces resilience to flooding, particularly during the wet season.
The 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit noted that lower levels of infrastructure service in remote areas can reinforce social and economic inequalities, particularly
for Aboriginal communities in the area. The Audit noted that connecting remote communities to the rest of the country is vital to their lives and economies.
The proposal proposes a program of works to improve road access to remote Western Australian areas. This could consider:
- providing higher-standard gravel roads
- sealing gravel roads
- bridge and floodway improvements
- improvements to remote and regional airstrips.
Land transport access between Karratha and Tom Price is a separate proposal on the Infrastructure Priority List which relates to the sealing of the Manuwarra Red Dog highway to improve access and safety.
Upgrades of Duncan Road and Gordon Downs Road (Browns Range Access) have received funding and are progressing to delivery.
Proponent to identify and analyse potential investment options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).
Refer to Infrastructure Glossary for terms and definitions.