Joint media release with the Hon Tom Koutsantonis
Works will commence soon on a $25 million project to repair damage to The Outback Highway between Lyndhurst and Marree caused by flooding associated with Cyclone Tiffany.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are jointly funding the works through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with construction scheduled to begin by the end of August 2025.
Importantly, the project will make the road more resilient to future flooding; benefiting and maintaining the vital connection for regional mining, primary and tourism industries and remote communities.
Assessments have been conducted to identify how improvements to the section of highway that was inundated during the major flood event can be incorporated as part of the repair works to improve resilience to future flooding events.
This includes raising the road profile, and new and improved drainage as the road is reconstructed.
Procurement for the works has been completed, and the project will be managed and delivered by South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
“The Outback Highway, like so many regional roads across Australia, is a critical piece of infrastructure connecting some of our most isolated communities.
“It’s really important that we use this opportunity to build back better and improve resilience of the road network for the future and help keep those communities connected.”
Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis:
“The Outback Highway is a critical roadway through the far north, and I’m pleased to confirm this funding in partnership with the Commonwealth.
“We know this, and many other roads were heavily damaged in the intense storm that hit the area around the beginning of 2022, and we continue to schedule and carry out repairs and upgrades to make travelling and working in the far north safer and more comfortable.”
