Sealing the Cape York Development Road

[DiscoMick]

I strongly support moves to seal the development road and improve access.
It could really improve the lives of residents in many ways. For example, food prices are excessive because so much comes in by boat, but if food was moving by road the prices would be a lot lower. Improving road access could also create a lot of jobs from tourism. Mobile phone towers up the road could also make it much safer.
I know people say the character of the Cape might be lost, but really there will still be plenty of other unsealed roads, including the Tele Track, for 4WDrivers to enjoy.
As for the cost, we wasted $100 million on the same-sex marriage survey to tell us what we already knew, so $200m for the development road sounds like money well spent to me.
So, get sealing, I say.
What do you think?

[trout1105]

I think that it is a great use of public money to make this an all weather road.
It will not only greatly improve the lives of the people that live in the Cape it will be Far safer for all the tourists that visit the area as well.
As Mick said there will still be plenty of areas and tracks for the 4WD crew to play on and sealing the road will open up the area so that your regular family can finally reach an area that has been pretty much exclusively 4WD territory. [thumbsupbig]

[V8Ian]

Consumer goods will not get cheaper using road transport, look at the prices in Normanton and Karumba.
Sea transport will still be the only viable form of transport, in the wet. Heck, even the Bruce isn't floodproof yet.
Are you wanting to trade the Defender for a Toyota Echo, Mick?

[trout1105]

A bitumen road will open up the area and should increase the number of businesses and the added competition "Should" have the effect of lowering the prices of food, fuel and other commodities by breaking the monopoly that many businesses have there at the moment.[thumbsupbig]

[Chops]

As you say, it'll help with a lot of things the both the locals and the visitors need. A good thing for sure.

The only downside "I" see, is the remoteness will go with the advancement of bitumen. For me, part of the reason to want to go there in the first place is to be remote, away from the hustle and bustle of heaps of other 4x4's. I must admit, I've heard of a lot of problems with what could probably be described as "too many people, and too much rubbish" of recent times, so maybe it's too late already. [bighmmm]
With a sealed road, every man and his dog will be up there soon [bigsad] I'm guessing I'll have to look at other remote areas, ahh alas, more exploring to be done [biggrin]

[DiscoMick]

Supermarket trucks already run to Weipa, where prices are reasonable, so they could continue up the development road to Bamaga, where they are ridiculous. More fresh fruit and vegetables would also be good for the health of the locals. It would be a bit less remote, as Chops said, but I'd pay that price for the benefits.

[trout1105]

As you say, it'll help with a lot of things the both the locals and the visitors need. A good thing for sure.

The only downside "I" see, is the remoteness will go with the advancement of bitumen. For me, part of the reason to want to go there in the first place is to be remote, away from the hustle and bustle of heaps of other 4x4's. I must admit, I've heard of a lot of problems with what could probably be described as "too many people, and too much rubbish" of recent times, so maybe it's too late already. [bighmmm]
With a sealed road, every man and his dog will be up there soon [bigsad] I'm guessing I'll have to look at other remote areas, ahh alas, more exploring to be done [biggrin]

There is still the Gulf country to play in [thumbsupbig]

[Wraithe]

At least money would be spent on something worth while, not some gov waste...

Projects like this help in the long run, but to start with they cause hassles til people get used to the change...

There are lots of roads around the country that could be improved...

[jonesfam]

I agree they should seal it but,
My experience of the Gulf Country once we got a fully sealed road to Cloncurry is
Without bridges it only marginally shortens the wet.
If it isn't maintained it's worse than dirt.
Freight prices did not drop a cent though it was more reliable.
New businesses & competition will generally not open up because your normal people don't want to live out here (you have to be a bit of an idiot to do so).
Banks don't lend money to businesses in such places, high risk apparently.
Tourist now complain most strongly about the dirt roads West.
Folks are driving faster & the accidents are more deadly.
And, it has taken that feeling of adventure & living on the frontier out of life a bit.

Jonesfam
PS Back when it was all dirt I asked a bloke how the road was? He said it's James Bond. What? Shaken, not stirred.

[Zeros]

Unfortunately I'll have to differ Mick. Sealing the road will cause as many problems as it solves. Hi-speed tourism and freight might sound good but it means that what was once a slow meandering culture becomes a high speed rushing culture, whether you're local or a visitor.

...Homogenisation is boring.

But then this is the high speed all mod cons market Land Rover (and all other manufacturers) are building for now, so more bitumen must be a good thing for some I suppose.

Actually, there are hundreds of remote towns on bitumen roads that are astronomically expensive and have very poor supply of fresh fruit and veg. I know because I've lived and worked in many of them for 20 years. Bitumen isn't the answer to healthy growing and prosperous northern Australia populations.

...Significant small business subsidies are. Spending the $200M on subsidies to support business startups would make a difference.

Plus slowing down Is beautiful.

[trout1105]

How can sealing a road be more problematic than leaving it as a corrugated dirt road?
The "Numpties" that like to speed all the time will do it regardless of if the road is dirt or bitumen and quite frankly I would much rather these idiots passed or overtook me on a bitumen road than a dirt one.
Just because someone drives a 4WD doesn't automatically make them a Good and courteous driver, Many of the 4WD's I come across on dirt roads are absolute tossers and don't give a rats about anyone else on the road especially on the dirt.

[scarry]

Sealing the road is good for those that want all this growth, we have to have.

For me,i believe it will wreck one of the last wilderness places in the state.

Easy access means more people.

More people means wrecking the place,as has happened to many other places,Fraser island is a very good example.

Just my 2 cents worth

[DiscoMick]

Some good points being made in an interesting discussion.
Its certainly true that sealing a road for road transport doesn't always result in better prices for locals. However, in this case it's a choice between moving freight by boat or by truck. If you've shopped at Weipa and again at Bamaga you will know the differences, both in prices and in the range of goods. Weipa is much cheaper and better.
I guess it's true that sealing the development road would allow more people to travel there, although some cars already use the road. I'm not sure that speeds would rise much as the 4WDs seem to hammer over the corrugations pretty fast already. Maybe they'll just suffer less damage and crash less often.
Once off the bitumen the situation would be unchanged, so that would keep the cars away from the more remote areas.
From the point of view of the locals, I can only see benefits, both in services and jobs, in one of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
It's also the reason I think the upgrading of the Bruce Highway is so important, as has been the rebuilding of the Pacific Highway.

[Zeros]

The more roads that are sealed, the less we Rove. ...instead we race.

[PLR]

G`day ,

i`d say if the local people want their road sealed , it`s a good idea , if for visitors then not .

Long time since i was up there but i would have said going to the tip the adventure started at the Jardine crossing but now there`s a ferry , though i`ve only seen pictures of it .

I don`t get the food discussion at all , other than Weipa it was a luxury to buy meat and/or vegetables and beef was only if it was the time of the week or however they did it when they did a kill .

Was that fish were easily caught , infact it was possible to put them back till the required size was caught on the coast and snags were the biggest problem with barramundi in fresh .

The locals happily shared turtle meat and suckers could be caught on the beach for pork at the tip and depending where you were easily picked mangos , limes , coconuts etc and water never a problem .

Fuel if they had it or you had to wait for the barge but a pretty good place to have to wait .

For mine as i don`t live there i wouldn`t want a sealed road , if the reason for going is an adventure then i think it has already been made easy enough .

If you want tar go looking and you`ll find big areas where you wouldn`t expect , americans i think , iron range don`t really remember .

I`m very thankful i was able to visit there when i did and with Weipa always there to fall back on it was not hard , we spent 4 months up there on a 3 week holiday didn`t have any great need to get back to Cairns and only made the decision to leave because of the wet .

[roverrescue]

Reality is the PDR to the three ways is all but sealed already
Three ways to weipa is mostly on RIO land not gov and will get done soon
Three ways north less likely to be sealed but possible
I imagine that $200mill will seal to weipa not to the NPA

For the past 3-4 years the PDR has remained open without permit needed 365
Sure you’ll still get stuck a few days at the archer etc but once sealed to Weipa it WILL most definitely improve freight

The biggest benefit for sealing will be RIO , Amron and further bauxite projects on the western cape .... TOURISM is a drop in the bucket compared with bauxite


Steve

[Zeros]

If it's all about the economy, then no doubt the bauxite jobs are needed...it would be interesting to know if any of the $200m for road is coming from rio / amrun?

We do need bauxite to build Land Rovers, increasingly however they are being designed primarily for the sealed roads that make it easier to mine bauxite.

Ultimately we'll only need Road Speeders (not Land Rovers)- ...the Velar comes to mind. I know! Free Velars for all! Now that would help grow the north QLD population! Although $200M would only buy around 2000 of them. So in the end the rich would get richer and the poor would get the picture, like everywhere else with bitumen roads.

[roverrescue]

As best as I can see this $200m being referred to is a 5 year project started in 2014

Indigenous company to help deliver Cape York road project - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory (http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/10/6/indigenous-company-to-help-deliver-cape-york-road-project)

Obviously every election these already made promises get dragged out and mentioned again
The project is to seal from Laura North to Weipa
From a few trips up north this year They seem on track to me and I imagine by Christmas 2019 it will be sealed to Weipa
Irrespective of who gets in on Saturday?

S

[DiscoMick]

As best as I can see this $200m being referred to is a 5 year project started in 2014

Indigenous company to help deliver Cape York road project - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory (http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/10/6/indigenous-company-to-help-deliver-cape-york-road-project)

Obviously every section these already made promises get dragged out and mentioned again
The project is to seal from Laura North to Weipa
From a few trips up north this year They seem on track to me and I imagine by Christmas 2019 it will be sealed to Weipa
Irrespective of who gets in on Saturday?

S
Some more information in these:
Sealing the deal on Cape York Regional package - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory (http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/7/10/sealing-the-deal-on-cape-york-regional-package)
Queensland election: Call to speed up sealing road to Cape York as project runs behind - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-23/call-speed-up-sealed-cape-york-peninsula-development-road-qld/9181838)
Sealing of Cape York’s Peninsula Developmental Road on target - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory (http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/10/5/sealing-of-cape-yorks-peninsula-developmental-road-on-target)

[Zeros]

I'm going to the US next year, where it's very difficult to find a dirt road and a free bush camp.

So many people, so much bitumen, yet still so much poverty and inequality. ...is sealing the roads the economic or the social solution? I know it sounds like it could be great for all of the communities in North Queensland, but I'm not convinced. Something else seems to be missing from the equation.

[Mick_Marsh]

No. Leave it unsealed.

From what I understand, $200m would be better off spent on maintaining existing sealed roads. I understand the national highway (no.1) still has some sub standard areas in Queensland. They do in SA.
In SA, rather than fixing the roads, they're putting up new speed signs dropping the limit.

Or you could use the $200m to subsidise gay wedding cakes. Apparently, that will be the biggest contributor to the GDP next year.

Lots of better things to spend the $200 million on.

[rammypluge]

Less tar equals less people, and less people equals less environmental impact and subsequent restrictions, and less environmental impact and restrictions equals more adventure.

For the people that are naturally obsessed with human expansion, whether driven by insecurity or not, and those manipulated by politicians appealing to big business sponsors, go and grow on another planet(s). Lots of excitement to be had. Unlimited growth opportunities!!

It is uncaring to take away from future generations the opportunity to have a sense of discovery and wonder at nature untamed.

[trout1105]

Less tar equals less people, and less people equals less environmental impact and subsequent restrictions, and less environmental impact and restrictions equals more adventure.

For the people that are naturally obsessed with human expansion, whether driven by insecurity or not, and those manipulated by politicians appealing to big business sponsors, go and grow on another planet(s). Lots of excitement to be had. Unlimited growth opportunities!!

It is uncaring to take away from future generations the opportunity to have a sense of discovery and wonder at nature untamed.

Cape York is a walk in the park compared to what it was 30_40 years ago So the development began a long time ago.

[DiscoMick]

Untamed environment versus continuing poverty - which to choose?
Actually it's not untamed at all.

[rammypluge]

Cape York is a walk in the park compared to what it was 30_40 years ago So the development began a long time ago.Then lets stop the slide before humans occupy and alter every inch of the planet like a plague. More people equals a lesser share for everyone.

If there are only a small number of people living on the cape, then they should accept it the way it is. If they want to live in a place with easier services or more people or more job opportunities, then move to somewhere that has that.

There is so much choice in australia. There are tiny towns, in between towns, small cities and massive cities. Take your pick.

Considering the environmental impacts humans are having on the planet, considering the concerns and risks being raised, it makes no sense to develop undeveloped areas.

The situation is overdue to be looking at the next frontier, being other planets, and to be focusing on gaining control and sustainability of this one. More growth creates more risk for this planet. There is now less safety in numbers.

[rammypluge]

Untamed environment versus continuing poverty - which to choose?
Actually it's not untamed at all.If people are there in poverty, they should move. To suggest we continue to damage a less developed area for the sake of a few people, it doesnt make any sense. If people cant find a way in a given area, then get out.

The world was smart enough to heavily restrict people from living in Antartica. Imagine if we didnt have those restrictions. There would be the inevitable creep of human occupation and environmental damage. Everywhere we start to live we start to alter.

If people want to live on the cape in a traditional way, living off the land in temporary humpies, then thats their choice. If there is a drive to continually develop the lesser developed and undeveloped parts of australia, it mostly has to stop, for the sake of future generations.

Its so common, for example, for people to visit a beautiful forest and think to themselves 'I would love to live here in this peaceful undeveloped forest'. I will just build a basic house and it will mostly be as it was. Then they find out they need a firebreak, and the trees they loved get chopped down. Then grass grows and they buy a ride on mower, then the peace is lost. Then they realise there arent many jobs, so they support land clearing for agriculture, and the expansion of the timber industry. Etc etc. Its time for people to wake up.

There are places in australia where populations have already receded. Its not the end of the world. Its not failure. Its sometimes not even mourned. People see a future elsewhere and dont look back.

I havent been to the cape yet but to me it sounds like a much better place to retreat human settlement from rather than expand.

There is the Ord River Scheme to the west. I believe there is good reason to shift some agriculture from declining unsustainable areas to this area. I am not anti development. I just think we need to consider a spectrum of factors, not just short termism.

[V8Ian]

Untamed environment versus continuing poverty - which to choose?
Actually it's not untamed at all.
Normanton/Karumba, bitumen access to Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane and the rest of the country.
The indigenous population are still living in abject poverty while the elite European business owners are doing very well, thank-you very much.
Sealing the road up the Cape will not offer any benefit to the indigenous residents.
There are many roads in Queensland that would justify spending $200mil before The Developement road, both the Bruce and Landsborough flood annually. What's the point of building a new highway that lacks all weather access?
So DM, you're in favour of spending $200,000,000.00, (count the zeros) to help the rich get richer?

[Zeros]

The rampant presumption that growth capitalism is the answer is frightening - despite so many negatives including: climate change, oil wars, housing unaffordability, rising mental illness/depression, etc.

Building more roads in order to homogenise a continent of shopping malls is simply not the answer.

Recognising and valuing diversity and community is - in people, place, ways of life and cultures.

I can can tell you now, when the **** hits the fan, I would rather be in a small community of people looking out for each other, up the top of Cape York with no freeways and all than comes with them - than in a marauding city where supermarkets carry at max 3 days worth of food and material greed is the religion.

[ramblingboy42]

there aren't very many of Australia's 12,000 towns that don't have a bitumen centre , not one person complains about that.

It was an eventuality that perhaps 25yrs ago old townspeople didn't want to happen.

Now there are bitumen strips laid in many areas a few km long that allow the roads between the towns to be more accessible.....and no one complains.

Now its a simple matter of joining the dots.....all weather roads.....and no one will complain.

With modern road building techniques the bitumen roads are very durable and eventually cost less to maintain than dirt roads.

People will still buy and use 4wd's...look at the yanks.

[Mick_Marsh]

Its so common, for example, for people to visit a beautiful forest and think to themselves 'I would love to live here in this peaceful undeveloped forest'. I will just build a basic house and it will mostly be as it was. Then they find out they need a firebreak, and the trees they loved get chopped down. Then grass grows and they buy a ride on mower, then the peace is lost. Then they realise there arent many jobs, so they support land clearing for agriculture, and the expansion of the timber industry. Etc etc. Its time for people to wake up.
Look at the Aldinga scrub. Not much of that left now. It's mostly been replaced with housing.

[rammypluge]

Building more roads in order to homogenise a continent of shopping malls is simply not the answer.
[emoji4]

[Zeros]

We don't need to blindly follow the American path to oil fuelled gridlock. We need a bigger more worldly vision that embraces true diversity and innovation. The NBN superhiqhway is more important than the antiquated road, particularly for regional Australia. $200 million.

"More than 50 years ago, Donald Horne was far more acutely aware of technology’s coming ascendancy and its broad implications for Australia’s future than decades of analysis of his work has deliberated upon. The Lucky Country was then, and is now, a sharp critique of a nation lacking in originality and innovation, in a world he viewed as increasingly driven by both. Despite Horne’s warning, the phrase “the lucky country” became a catchcry of national self-congratulation." Financial Review 9 Feb 2017.

Not Like America: How Australia can avoid the Trump effect | afr.com (http://www.afr.com/brand/boss/not-like-america-we-dont-know-how-to-grow-a-prosperous-and-fair-economy-in-the-digital-age-20170111-gtpklo)


Australia don't become America... Cranky
Cranky- Australia Don't Become America (HD) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdw1Pw4nIv0)

[rammypluge]

Putting in infrastructure like a tarred road typically creates an immediate increase in the value of associated real estate, and rental prices, which can mean that people on low incomes are economically forced to move to more outerlying areas.

I dont think a tarred road will directly reduce the prices of goods and services very much, but if it brings an increase to tourism and populations, then transport prices may reduce noticeably.

So, all we have to do is fill the continent with development and people, the poorest will live in shantytowns, mental hospitals or prisons, forget about 4wding, offroading, exploring, the outdoors, nature, the climate, ocean levels, scarce resources, pollution, species extinction, oxygen levels, quality of life, etc....

Another interesting thing is that many developed countries now have birthrates below replacement rate. As developing countries industrialise, their birthrates also reduce. This is good for everyone, everyone gets a bigger share of what the planet has to offer, and a better quality of life. Time for people to get their head around new paradyms.

Many people are choosing to migrate here because their home countries are overpopulated. I think there is something to learn from that, and not make the mistakes other countries have made.

Many in sydney can no longer afford a yard, and how long before apartments are measured with tatami mats?

[trout1105]

The road already exists and tarring it will vastly improve the safety and usability of the road, We are NOT talking about building a NEW road here.
All this talk about a population explosion and disadvantaging the local population by improving the road is quite frankly rubbish IMHO.

[rammypluge]

Deleted

[DiscoMick]

Geez, some interesting arguments coming out here. I thought I was supposed to be the resident Greenie, but I'm not even in the race.
I don't think sealing an existing road will lead to rampant consumerism, environmental destruction and the end of civilization as we know it. Actually the environmental destruction is already happening with a major landowner done recently for illegal clearing of a large area.
It's arrogant to say people should just move elsewhere when it's their private land they have been connected to for many generations.
The main benefit of sealing the road would be the food trucks could get to the top and supermarket prices could drop significantly because food no longer had to come by boat. Lower prices should mean better diets and less malnutrition and health problems.
More travellers would certainly go there and that would create jobs in shops, services and national parks etc which would be good.
What else happened would depend on factors such as the strength of local government and the state and federal government's in protecting the environment and regulating planning.
If it's done well it could have have good results.

[donh54]

The road already exists and tarring it will vastly improve the safety and usability of the road, We are NOT talking about building a NEW road here.
All this talk about a population explosion and disadvantaging the local population by improving the road is quite frankly rubbish IMHO.

Yep. Even though the road is bitumen, it's still a long way to the Centrelink office in Cairns [bigsmile]

[rammypluge]

Geez, some interesting arguments coming out here. I thought I was supposed to be the resident Greenie, but I'm not even in the race.
I don't think sealing an existing road will lead to rampant consumerism, environmental destruction and the end of civilization as we know it. Actually the environmental destruction is already happening with a major landowner done recently for illegal clearing of a large area.
It's arrogant to say people should just move elsewhere when it's their private land they have been connected to for many generations.
The main benefit of sealing the road would be the food trucks could get to the top and supermarket prices could drop significantly because food no longer had to come by boat. Lower prices should mean better diets and less malnutrition and health problems.
More travellers would certainly go there and that would create jobs in shops, services and national parks etc which would be good.
What else happened would depend on factors such as the strength of local government and the state and federal government's in protecting the environment and regulating planning.
If it's done well it could have have good results.Okay, so if it happens to be that all remote and relatively undeveloped parts of australia contain resident populations of aborigines, then according to you it makes sense to develop them all, and have no undeveloped parts of australia left?

All the way until we tar the Rig Road, the Canning, etc, and get those shops and tourist dollars out to them!

The more tourists you have going up the Cape, the more restrictions will be imposed. The more sanitised it will become. Sell your 4wd now before resale values plummet.

[Zeros]

...is this why all new model Land Rovers are primarily highway focussed SUV's.

By the way, the gridlocked road lovin USA currently has 6.6 million people unemployed. Clearly roads aren't the answer to an equitable growth economy.

The unsealed parts of the planet are far more valuable in many ways beyond growth capitalism IMO. ...and more beautiful. It's why I own a Land Rover.

I must say, it's kinda strange hearing pro-bitumen arguments from the Land Rover community.

Cheers

[DiscoMick]

Okay, so if it happens to be that all remote and relatively undeveloped parts of australia contain resident populations of aborigines, then according to you it makes sense to develop them all, and have no undeveloped parts of australia left?

All the way until we tar the Rig Road, the Canning, etc, and get those shops and tourist dollars out to them!

The more tourists you have going up the Cape, the more restrictions will be imposed. The more sanitised it will become. Sell your 4wd now before resale values plummet.
I didn't say that, so I won't defend what I didn't say.

[Chops]

...is this why all new model Land Rovers are primarily highway focussed SUV's.

By the way, the gridlocked road lovin USA currently has 6.6 million people unemployed. Clearly roads aren't the answer to an equitable growth economy.

The unsealed parts of the planet are far more valuable in many ways beyond growth capitalism IMO. ...and more beautiful. It's why I own a Land Rover.

I must say, it's kinda strange hearing pro-bitumen arguments from the Land Rover community.

Cheers

I find it amusing you should say that, as it coinsides with a trip we did yesterday. Only did around about 40 or so kilometres on a gravel road following the Murray River. Leeanne made
mention on the road , and I just came back with, “ That’s why we bought a Land Rover” [biggrin]

[rammypluge]

The unsealed parts of the planet are far more valuable in many ways beyond growth capitalism IMO. ...and more beautiful. It's why I own a Land Rover.

I must say, it's kinda strange hearing pro-bitumen arguments from the Land Rover community.

Cheers
Well, if i think about it, probably less than 1% of new Land Rover purchasers are offroaders, and they are now so expensive, we can expect that a high proportion are business class, who are typically pro development.

[rammypluge]

Quote: "It's arrogant to say people should just move elsewhere when it's their private land they have been connected to for many generations."

I think its unreasonable for taxpayers, environmentalists and humanitarians to be forced to buy into anything on the basis of 'helping people' any more than what they have already been helped, and are continuing to be helped, especially when doing so will likely only further entrench their dependency and low self esteem, and be the opposite of genuine help to them.

The idea that aborigines are a problem that white man is responsible for fixing is ridiculous and doesnt help aborigines.

I have lived in small rural communities and in my experience the biggest problem is the culture. Its hard to fix cultures that dont want to be fixed. A solution can be to break it up, by the people being absorbed into the next biggest town or city, or where training and work opportunities are.

[roverrescue]

People
The road being discussed is not wilderness
It is a highway to a resource zone
This decision has nothing to do with community access although that will be improved. It is simply about increasing mining activity in the western cape over and above Rios massive existing operations. Amrun will almost double Weipas bauxite production with potential to triple it.....

About Amrun - Rio Tinto (http://www.riotinto.com/australia/about-amrun-16136.aspx)

This is a
1.9 billion USD project that will contribute 1.3 billion AUD per annum to the Aussie economy

The roads that lead to all the beautiful places will still be dirt
Just the big wide dusty accident riddled Track is getting blacked

Like it or not but it takes an awful lot of half strength soy lattes to generate
$1.3B of ongoing economic activity

In light of above $200m is reasonable investment by gov
And quite likely will improve the environment with less run off , less ongoing gravel pit creation,
Less dust getting in the possums eyes....

S

[DiscoMick]

Yes, it's not about Aborigines, so I don't know why people have gone off on that tangent.

[V8Ian]

I strongly support moves to seal the development road and improve access.
It could really improve the lives of residents in many ways. For example, food prices are excessive because so much comes in by boat, but if food was moving by road the prices would be a lot lower. Improving road access could also create a lot of jobs from tourism. Mobile phone towers up the road could also make it much safer.
I know people say the character of the Cape might be lost, but really there will still be plenty of other unsealed roads, including the Tele Track, for 4WDrivers to enjoy.
As for the cost, we wasted $100 million on the same-sex marriage survey to tell us what we already knew, so $200m for the development road sounds like money well spent to me.
So, get sealing, I say.
What do you think?


Yes, it's not about Aborigines, so I don't know why people have gone off on that tangent.
Because you lead them up that track.

[Zeros]

Yes, it's not about Aborigines, so I don't know why people have gone off on that tangent.

Well that's true Mick...as usual, Aboriginal people are left out in the cold. Sure a sealed road might make life easier in one way, but at what cost? (and I'm not talking about the construction cost). The road certainly isn't about Aboriginal people! Short memories forget that the Land has been stolen from them. How much of that $1.3 billion per annum - ripped from their land - will go to locals ...both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal? Most of that so called benefit to the Aussie economy will go to the wealthy who live elsewhere. There's not even a decent mining tax to ensure the 'wealth' is shared.

Its not a tangent man. It's real and it's wrong.

[AK83]

Road to Lake Eyre has steadily seen more and more bitumenised sections over the years.
I visit the place at irregular intervals, without fail.

Hard to notice it, other than a feeling of something has changed from the last time I was up there.
So much nicer than being forced to drive on a badly chopped out gravel road.

One thing I hadn't noticed on the two occasions I'd been up there last, was the lack of rampant, uncontrolled, mass consumerism happening at places like Marree. Didn't notice any new super-shopping mall when I was up there a couple of years ago. And in the few hours(6 or so) I had at Lk Eyre south I noticed only one small group of travellers pull up at the car park area. Can't remember too many vehicles passing either way either .. so the place hasn't turned to crap due to masses of mindless idiots flooding the area all of a sudden

Note to self: need to get me and my D1 up there soon too.

Same with the Flinders area Blinman to Hawker.
Can't remember the time I did that track before the last, but it was gravel all the way. Not bad, probably graded just before, but couldn't help thinking for a 'transport' section of a tourist destination, made no sense to keep it gravel and the ongoing cost of regular grading it.
Couple of years back it was good to see it sealed all the way.
Didn't make it any less 'adventurous' than when it was gravel.. just made a transport section(that that section of road you NEED to traverse to get to an interesting spot), less of a bother.

[roverrescue]

Zeroes
Your city centric faux outrage is palpable

More indigenous LOcALS of the Weipa region are employed because of Rio than perhaps the rest of qld

Go spend some time in, Pormpuraaw or Kowanyama and then tell me how good for the locals” my pathways “ and welfare dependency is - compare directly with actual apprenticeships and real employment .....

And I’m sure if you read the docs I posted you would see that a fair value of the project benefits the locals - heck they initiated amrun with Rio

Have an open mind to how we can actually close the gap as opposed to endless useless government funding to pointless projects that simply dress up welfare and name it something else

Steve

Ps I am not or ever been an employee or apologist for Rio or other miners
I do like aluminium
I do want the people of the Cape to prosper
Bauxite has been and will continue to bring prosperity to cape locals