PM Transcripts

PRIME MINiSTER
FOR MEDIA 10 October 1983
The Federal Government will spend more than $ 8 million on
roads in the Mt Isa region this financial year.
National roadworks between Mt Isa and Wynton which are
directly funded by the Commonwealth alone will account for
$ 7.85 million and will provide about 350 jobs.
Other funds will g; o to:
arterial road projects on the Diamintina Development
Road worth $ 300,000, and
work on the Flinders Highway near Julia Creek, to cost
$ 750,000.
Mt Isa will also get more than half. a million dollars under the
Bicentennial Roads Program for local roads.
The city will receive further grants of $ 42,000 under the-
Government's new Jobs on Local Roads Program ( JOLOR).
The sealing of -the Landsborough Highway will continue.
When it is completed in 1988, it will provide a direct and
completely sealed all-weather route between Brisbane and Darwin.
The Government has allocated a record $ 272 million to Queensland
roads this year an increase of 51.3 per cent.
Expenditure on local roads will rise by 60 per cent.
These funds will create 3,000 jobs throughout Queensland.
The Government has placed a great deal of emphasis on road
improvement.
We see it as a way of creating jobs, improving communications and
adding impetus to economic recovery.
Roads have special significance to cities like Mt Isa and regions
like North-West Queensland.
The Government is committtcd to ensuring that people living and
working in this region are abl( to reap the benefits of better
transport. systems.
John Bailey ( 062) SG. 2273 ( H)
( 062) 08.7235 Further inquiries