National Land Transport Network
Road Connectivity
An integrated and efficient road transport network is critical for economic stability and growth in Far North Queensland, a region of 380,000km² which includes some of the nation’s most remote communities. The region’s inland roads and Cairns’ access to the northern beaches and Tablelands play a vital role in enabling the productivity of northern Australia and the contribution to the national economy through improved connectivity to southern markets. The disruption and dislocation to these road networks in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper have underpinned the importance of these links to the region and indeed, to the nation. Growth in population, employment, tourism and freight volumes coupled with the increasing importance of food security, means safety and capacity requirements will only be exacerbated. Investment in FNQ’s road connectivity is crucial to avoid nationally significant productivity losses, to connect rural and remote communities and to ensure continued regional and state economic development.
The road networks linking Cairns with the vital agricultural, mining and tourism regions of the Atherton Tablelands and beyond are critical enablers of the regional economy. With sizeable growth in both agriculture and mining in the region predicted in the next decade, a safe and reliable road network that enables increased heavy vehicle traffic is vital for economic growth and prosperity in the region. The road network in and out of Cairns acts as the main distribution hub for the region and is essential for further developing the agricultural and mining exports of the region. However, the growing demands for freight and increasing frequency of severe weather events, has strained the existing infrastructure, impacting transport costs and service levels across the supply chain.
The National Land Transport Network (NLTN) outlines nationally significant road and rail infrastructure links and their intermodal connections. The legislation aims to assist economic and social development through the provision of Commonwealth funding aimed at the improvement of land transport infrastructure.
Continuing the NLTN from Smithfield to Mareeba, and ultimately to Weipa, would meet these objectives and ensure the continued economic and social development of the Atherton Tablelands region and beyond. It would be the next logical step in the network, with Mareeba being the gateway to the region’s agriculture production areas of Atherton Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula, and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Benefits to the region
• Improved connectivity between Cairns and the region’s agricultural production hubs on the Atherton Tablelands.
• Increased social and economic outputs.
• Provides pathway towards increased connectivity between key national security assets (Port of Weipa and RAAF Base Scherger).
Recommendation
The Queensland Government works with the Australian Government to amend the National Land Transport Act 2014 to extend the national highway designation from its current terminus at the intersection of Captain Cook and Kennedy Highways to the intersection of the Kennedy Highway and the Mulligan Highway, and ultimately, to extend that vital network across to the Western Cape, to Weipa.
Overview
The National Land Transport Network (NLTN) outlines nationally significant road and rail infrastructure links and their intermodal connections. The legislation aims to assist economic and social development through the provision of Commonwealth funding aimed at the improvement of land transport infrastructure.
In recognition of its importance, the Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield was added to the NLTN under the 2020 determination[i]. The objectives of an integrated land transport network include improving national and regional connectivity for communities and industry; improving national, regional, and international logistics; and trade and consistency with viable, long-term economic and social outcomes[ii].
Continuing the NLTN from Smithfield to Mareeba, and ultimately to Weipa, would meet these objectives and ensure the continued economic and social development of the Atherton Tablelands region and beyond. It would be the next logical step in the network, with Mareeba being the gateway to the region’s agriculture production areas of Atherton Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula, and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
[i] National Land Transport Network Determination 2020 (Cth)
[ii] National Land Transport Act 2014 (Cth)
Last updated: September 2024
The National Land Transport Network (NLTN) outlines nationally significant road and rail infrastructure links and their intermodal connections. The legislation aims to assist economic and social development through the provision of Commonwealth funding aimed at the improvement of land transport infrastructure.
Continuing the NLTN from Smithfield to Mareeba, and ultimately to Weipa, would meet these objectives and ensure the continued economic and social development of the Atherton Tablelands region and beyond. It would be the next logical step in the network, with Mareeba being the gateway to the region’s agriculture production areas of Atherton Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula, and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Benefits to the region
• Improved connectivity between Cairns and the region’s agricultural production hubs on the Atherton Tablelands.
• Increased social and economic outputs.
• Provides pathway towards increased connectivity between key national security assets (Port of Weipa and RAAF Base Scherger).
Recommendation
The Queensland Government works with the Australian Government to amend the National Land Transport Act 2014 to extend the national highway designation from its current terminus at the intersection of Captain Cook and Kennedy Highways to the intersection of the Kennedy Highway and the Mulligan Highway, and ultimately, to extend that vital network across to the Western Cape, to Weipa.
Overview
The National Land Transport Network (NLTN) outlines nationally significant road and rail infrastructure links and their intermodal connections. The legislation aims to assist economic and social development through the provision of Commonwealth funding aimed at the improvement of land transport infrastructure.
In recognition of its importance, the Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield was added to the NLTN under the 2020 determination[i]. The objectives of an integrated land transport network include improving national and regional connectivity for communities and industry; improving national, regional, and international logistics; and trade and consistency with viable, long-term economic and social outcomes[ii].
Continuing the NLTN from Smithfield to Mareeba, and ultimately to Weipa, would meet these objectives and ensure the continued economic and social development of the Atherton Tablelands region and beyond. It would be the next logical step in the network, with Mareeba being the gateway to the region’s agriculture production areas of Atherton Tablelands, Cape York Peninsula, and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
[i] National Land Transport Network Determination 2020 (Cth)
[ii] National Land Transport Act 2014 (Cth)
Last updated: September 2024
Explore more
Kennedy Developmental Road
Reduces freight costs between FNQ and southern market, supporting the sustainability of primary production in northern Australia.
National Land Transport Network
Improved connectivity between Cairns and the region’s agricultural production hubs on the Atherton Tablelands.
Savannah Way (Gulf Section)
Improved safety and resilience, and regional connectivity particularly in isolated
and remote communities.
