Works commence on $542.8m Tanami Road upgrade in WA

Works to upgrade the Western Australian section of Tanami Road has commenced, with sealing now underway on the first 41-kilometre section through the hills south of the Great Northern Highway. 

Works on the first section of the upgrade is due to be completed by the end of 2024. 

“The Albanese Labor Government recognises the importance of improving our country’s road freight network, and sealing the Tanami – as we committed to do at the election – will be critical to delivering greater resilience for this nationally significant east-west link. 

“Sealing the road will also make it safer and more reliable for local communities, while the extended delivery time will ensure we create sustainable and long-term employment and training outcomes for local Aboriginal people,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Tanami Road spans 1,016 kilometres, extending through the Northern Territory to Alice Springs. The road is mostly unsealed, making it difficult to drive on as it becomes rough and corrugated during the dry season. During the wet season, Tanami Road experiences long closures that cut off access to the communities it services. 

Sealing Tanami Road will improve access and safety when travelling to remote Aboriginal communities and mine sites as well as make it a more resilient road freight network as it provides an alternative route from the eastern states to northern Western Australia. 

“The Tanami is an important and significant connector road for people across the Kimberley, and to see sealing works begin on the Western Australian section is a major milestone. 

“Sealing the route will ensure safe, all-year access for local residents, local Aboriginal communities and those travelling into Western Australia from the east coast. 

“We are committed to providing sustainable Aboriginal engagement throughout the life of the project and look forward to continued consultation with the Traditional Owners and other local Aboriginal people to ensure this occurs,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. 

Project map (source: Main Roads Western Australia)

This Tanami Road upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments, committing $542.8 million to complete the sealing of the 313-kilometre Western Australian section over the next decade following the beginning of design and development works in 2020. 

Main Roads Western Australia will directly manage the delivery of the project on behalf of the Shire of Halls Creek. Local Kimberley businesses will be utilised for this project, with a focus on long-term Aboriginal engagement and employment. 

“Sealing this road will make Aboriginal communities it services less remote by providing safer and more flood resilient access. 

“This works will provide a reliable alternative freight route into northern Western Australia from the eastern states. 

“This improves an essential link in Australia’s outback and remote road highway network, benefiting locals and travellers for years to come,” Federal Senator for Western Australia Glenn Sterle said. 

Currently, there are four new local Aboriginal start-up businesses engaged to help deliver the project and two more to are set to begin work soon. More than $15 million in contracts have already been awarded to Aboriginal businesses to date. 

In addition, about 65 per cent of the current workforce are Aboriginal and two-thirds are from the Shire of Halls Creek. Further initiatives are also planned to provide more opportunities for local residents to work on the project. 

“The Tanami is a critical transport link for a number of remote Aboriginal communities in the East Kimberley and sealing the road will make it safer and more reliable all year round. 

“I will be working closely with the Minister for Transport to ensure we drive the best outcomes for local Aboriginal people and communities during the project. 

“Delivering the project over an extended period provides us with a significant opportunity to deliver long-term and sustainable employment and training outcomes for local communities,” WA Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said. 

In the Northern Territory, approximately 300 kilometres of the 703-kilometre section of Tanami Road has already been sealed, with around 30 kilometres from Alice Springs expected to be completed in mid-2023 and another 90 kilometres to be completed in 2025. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Main Roads Western Australia; Shire of Halls Creek