Northern Territory Government Fails On Road Upgrade Plan

Federal Member for Solomon, Mr David Tollner MP said today that the Territory Labor Government had again failed the people of Darwin and Palmerston with its Budget announcement that only $10 million will be committed to a start on the upgrade of Tiger Brennan Drive in the next financial year.

"This is despite a promise from Labor in 2003-2004 to contribute half of the cost of the upgrade of Tiger Brennan, around $13.7 million, with the Federal Government funding the same amount in the 2004 Federal Budget, at a total cost of $27.3 million,” Mr Tollner said.

Mr Tollner said the Territory Labor Government now estimates the total cost of the project has blown out to $64 million, some $36.7 million higher than the original project cost.

"Following the recent meeting in Canberra between Mark Vaile, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport, and Delia Lawrie, Territory Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Federal Government agreed to contribute half of that cost, $32 million, subject to detailed costing plans from the Territory Government,” Mr Tollner said.

"I continue to fight in Canberra for that $32 million but the Territory Government has shown today in its Budget that it is $22 million short of its half of the bargain, and is only providing $10 million in funding.”
"The Territory Government needs to adopt a more serious approach to this project and realise the urgency of getting it started. Tiger Brennan Drive is critically important to Darwin as it links to our port and trade and will become the gateway between Darwin and Palmerston.

"This will remove congestion points in the urban areas and along the Stuart Highway as well as improving road safety,” Mr Tollner said.

2007-05-01