4iAUSTRAL1A. J
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FOR PRESS 19 FEBRUARY 1977
JOIN7 STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE ACTING PREMIER
OF VICTORIA, THE HONOURABLE L. H. S. THOMPSON, CMG, MP
NEW NATIONAL HIGHWAY SIGN UNVEILED
The first of Australia's new National Highway roadside identification
signs was officially unveiled by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser,
on the Hume Highway near Wodonga today.
The Acting Premier of Victoria, Mr. L. H. S. Thompson, and the
Commonwealth Minister for Transport, Mr. Peter Nixon, attended.
A joint statement issued by Mr. Fraser and Mr. Thompson described
the sign as a symbol of Commonwealth-State co-operation in roads
matters, particularly in the area of National Highways.
" It is appropriate that the first sign should be on the Hume
Highway one of Australia's most important road links, linking
as it does the two major cities of the Commonwealth," they said.
" The Commonwealth and the States believe that National Highways
which are vital to the Australian economy as a whole should
be specially identified.
" As result, all Governments have co-operated in the design of
signs which will clearly indicate this recognition to travellers
on the system."
It proposed that the first of the new signs would be
at points on each National Highway near the boundary of each
capital city.
The signs would be six-by-eight feet and, against a gri,, n
background, would carry the Australian Coat of Arms, map of
Australia, and the words " Australian National Highways" in
reflecting yellow paint.
It was also proposed to replace existing highway route mar-kers
in the same green and gold colours following a trial introdi.-, tion
on the Humne Highway between Wangaratta ( Vie.) and Holb: ool..
and on the National Highway east of Adelaide. / The Commonwea lt: h
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The Commonwealth Government has allocated almost $ 400 million
to the States for spending on National Highways in the period
1974-77.
The total National Highway system which covered more than
16,000 kilometres connected all Australian capital cities
and serviced important centres of trade,-commerce, mining and
recreation.
Under the National Roads Act, the States were eligible for
financial assistance for approved construction works on declared
National Highways.
Footnote: Mr. Fraser was visiting Albury-Wodonga for a
Liberal Party Regional Convention and other official engagements.
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