Red Centre Way Moving Ahead

The Northern Territory Government is continuing to ‘Move Alice Ahead’ with the Red Centre Way project well under way.

Chief Minister Clare Martin and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Delia Lawrie, today inspected the $68 million dollar project.

“By April next year tourists will be able to drive on the inner loop along Namatjira Road and back to Hermannsburg on a sealed road for 85 percent of the 325 kilometre journey,” she said.

“The inner loop of the Red Centre Way is a spectacular drive weaving through the West MacDonnell Ranges past Ellery, Ormiston and Redbank Gorges.

“This project will help build the tourism industry in central Australia and is consistent with the Government’s vision for the region – ‘Moving Alice Ahead’.”

Ms Lawrie said although negotiations with stakeholders had been complicated the project was now well under way.

“237 kilometres of road has now been sealed on the Red Centre Way,” said Ms Lawrie.

“Government is committed to the completion of the project with an additional 38 kilometres of road to be sealed on Namatjira Drive by April – leaving just 50 kms to be finished.”

Ms Martin said the Government would be urgently seeking to regain permission from the Central Land Council to access gravel needed to seal 43 kilometres along the Larapinta Drive section of the inner loop west of Hermannsburg.

“This access is crucial in finishing this 43 kilometre section of the loop.

“We are also continuing to work with the Central Land Council to ensure the project linking through to Kings Canyon is completed as quickly as possible.”

Ms Martin said she was pleased a lot of the work had been done by local companies, providing real jobs for central Australia.

Chief Minister Contact: Geoff Fraser 0407 360 256; Minister LawrieContact: Bethany Jensen 0423 593 999
Related files:
martin.22.10.07.red centre way.pdf ( 69.94 kb )