Cape Leveque road project begins

A $65 million project working to seal the remaining section of the notoriously rough and dusty Cape Leveque road is expected to improve access through the Dampier Peninsula.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti today visited local workers on the Cape Leveque road project, which recently began pre-construction works.

Minister Saffioti said the Cape Leveque road project will create a lot of opportunities for tourism and employment once complete.

“Currently, the trip from Broome to the top of the Dampier Peninsula can take many hours in a normal car, and is a particularly rough and dusty journey,” she said.

“Workers are currently building water storage dams ahead of the major road sealing project getting into full swing in coming weeks.”

“It will be a challenging project but the road will be built in stages, providing sufficient time for local communities to prepare for the anticipated increase in traffic and visitors to the area.”

A 102km section of the road was already bitumised and the latest upgrade will seal the remaining 90km of Broome-Cape Leveque road.

The project is expected to take three to four years to complete.

To recognise the traditional owners of the land at the project site, situated on Jabirr Jabirr country, a welcome to country and smoking ceremony was performed by representatives from the Bindunbur people.

Minister Saffioti said Main Roads WA has been working very closely with the local Aboriginal communities and is pleased the project has created a number of job opportunities.

The Cape Leveque road project has created full-time work for 20 Aboriginal workers and ensured at least 20 per cent of the subcontract works are undertaken by Aboriginal businesses.

The project is one of the first to consider the McGowan Government’s new Aboriginal Procurement Policy that will be implemented from July 1.

The final stage of the project will cost about $65 million, with $52.5 million of Commonwealth funding and $13.1 million of State Government funding.