The infamous Strzelecki Track near Lyndhurst in South Australia will be getting a long overdue safety upgrade with the government committing $1.2 million to the project.
The track, which links to the Moomba gas fields, has for many years been plagued by regular closures due to flooding.
On announcing the upgrade, the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the project would be of great benefit to companies operating in the area.
“The Strzelecki Track… experiences regular road closures after even moderate rain, causing safety issues, and hindering business operations by cutting access from Lyndhurst to Innamincka and to the Moomba gas fields. I’m pleased to see these works getting underway to help fix those problems,” Mr Truss said.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the upgrades included cement stabilisation and the installation of concrete culverts and floodways.
“This Strzelecki Track is the supply line to the Moomba gas fields which has provided the bulk of the Adelaide and Sydney market for many years. Importantly, the region is now experiencing strong growth as the possibilities of unconventional gas are revealed,” Mr Ramsey said.
“It was only a few years ago that the region was isolated by flood waters and the track turned to mud. Now it has experienced an extended dry period with the inevitable effects on the road.
“These upgrades are not of major nature, but will make a difference. The region will continue to grow as a gas producer and help underwrite SA’s future and as such, will need a much larger investment in the medium term to cope with the load.
“I will be happy to work with both levels of government and the private sector to bring this about. It is absolutely necessary to invest in regional road infrastructure to help revitalise the state’s economy.”
The upgrade works are expected to finish in June 2015.
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