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OHDC INC BULLETIN - AUGUST 2010 |
INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE NATIONAL AGENDA
AUGUST 17 2010 the Outback Highway Development Inc (OHDC) has called our political leaders to place infrastructure back on the National Agenda and commit to it at the Federal Election.
Today has seen a turn around in interest as economists and political commentators have looked for the promises that will build a stronger Australia.
Chairman of the OHDC, Cr Patrick Hill President of Laverton Shire Council has said it is time for Federal politicians to see the big picture and commit to sealing the 2,800km route linking Perth to Cairns via Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Warburton, Alice Springs, Boulia, Winton and Longreach.
The benefits stack up with the cost of sealing the road returning over 2.5 times the sealing costs. It will bring direct benefits to Queenslanders, Territorians and West Australians and indirectly benefit 39 indigenous communities and the rest of Australian in cheaper and better quality produce.
A sealed Outback Highway will be like the Sydney Harbour Bridge was for Sydney in the 1930s providing a link through the centre and redefining connections and transport logistics for the country rather than just a city.
The Outback Highway provides the shortest link east to west for our country by 1600 klms but currently requires a high clearance 4WD to travel it while its grading is prohibitive to general transport. A carbon credit system already exists and journeys can be offset.
Disaggregated the costs for sealing the Outback Highway are:
- Laverton to Warburton $274 Million;
- Warburton to NT Border $138 Million;
- WA/NT Border to Kata Tjuta $81 Million;
- Gemtree to Harts Range $60 Million;
- Harts Range to NT/QLD Border $112 Million; and
- NT/QLD Border to Boulia $43 Million.
$708 Million including indirect taxes but not much for giving the Outback a Future.
Read submission Sn 1
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TIME IS RUNNING OUT BUT UNTIL AUGUST 21 YOU CAN STILL BOOK TO....................
Join in the tour that kicks off October 5 in Longreach for the Australian Local Government Association's National Road Congress in Bunbury over October 13-15, OHDC. Stopovers are planned for Boulia (Oct 6), Yulara (Uluru 8), Warburton (9th) and Laverton/Kalgoorlie 10-11th). We have a number of people bringing their own vans and there is cabin accommodation available.
Experience the road first hand, try out your 4WD vehicle and learn about Australia's Road Infrastructure.
The road is driveable after recent grading and the GM drove the 811klm Boulia to Alice on Saturday and only a few weeks back drove the 2500 klm trip from Alice to Perth in a Nissan Pathfinder!! So come along and join in on the Outback Way trip.
Meet Councillors and staff from Winton, Boulia, Alice Springs, Macdonnell, Central Desert, Ngaanyatjarraku and Laverton.
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In 2008 The OHDC Inc successfully completed its $487,390 integrated tourism project funded by the Australian Government through AusIndustry. delivering Australia’s Longest Shortcut.
The Integrated Tourism plan audited the gaps and the implementation phase delivered improved signage with interpretive panels and approach signs, a new website and brochure, and the Outback Way Atlas and guidebook published by HEMA Maps providing extensive information about the Outback Way, which not only improves the safety and comfort for those experiencing ‘Australia’s Longest Shortcut’ but provides detail on how to plan the trip and what you will encounter. Over 1500 Atlases have already been sold.
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Read more...
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The Outback Way extends 2,750km from Laverton, Western Australia to Winton, Queensland via central Australia. As a self-drive route it passes through central Australia’s deserts, Ayers Rock, The Olga’s, Alice Springs and a host of fascinating places of interest.
The Outback Way is made up of seven inter-connecting roads including The Great Central Road (WA); Tjukaruru Road, Lasseter Highway, Stuart Highway and Plenty Highway (NT); and Donohue Highway and Min Min Byway (QLD). Collectively these are THE OUTBACK WAY.
There are very few road signs in outback Australia and many of the Outback Way’s places of interest are sometimes not so easy to find. Then again, it wouldn’t be an outback adventure without an element of surprise! The adventurous traveller has plenty to discover, and the less adventurous traveller can safely prepare their outback journey using this website, the brochure and the Guidebook!
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Read more...
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The Outback Way is unofficially Australia’s longest shortcut. But that doesn’t mean there’s little to see or do. The Outback Way brochure lists plenty of activities and attractions ( download here 2.42MB pdf ) and is a first-stop for any traveller planning a trip via Australia’s longest shortcut.
The brochure will reveal that driving styles, places of interest, side trip options and accommodation preferences need to be considered in preparing for one of life’s greatest self-drive adventures. The brochure is available from visitor centres, shire offices, selected outlets along the Outback Way, inquiring online or downloaded from this site.
The Outback Way brochure states that Giles Weather Station releases weather balloons at 9am & 4pm daily. This is incorrect. Giles Weather station works on South Australian time [CST]. Weather balloons are released at 8:45am & 2:45pm (CST) each day during winter [balloon release times during daylight saving are 9:45am & 3:45pm CDST] . The Station offers tours which start at 8:30am & 2:30pm (9:30am & 3:30pm during daylight saving].
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The Outback Highway Atlas - a real guidebook |
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There is a range of information available on this website and in the brochure, however, travellers will find much more information in the Outback Way Atlas and Guidebook. The Guidebook includes detailed maps, commentary, pre-trip planning tools and enroute information that helps travellers experience the very best of the Outback Way. A good travelling companion It is written in a style that older children can read en-route.
Traveller’s can purchase the Atlas from visitor-discovery centres along the Outback Way as well as map shops, book stores and outdoor-lifestyle stores or wherever Hema Maps are sold. An order form is available in the downloads section of this site.
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