Cape Leveque Road surfacing moves forward

The long-held aspiration to bituminise the entire length of the main road slicing through the heart of the Dampier Peninsula near Broome will become reality if the State Government contributes $13 million towards the $65 million project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester this week announced $52.53 million for the re-construction and re-alignment of Cape Leveque Road - subject to a funding partnership with the WA Government.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development said the Commonwealth share represented 80 per cent of the total cost, and was conditional on the State throwing-in the remaining 20 per cent or $13 million.

The DIRD said the work includes constructing a new sealed road predominately adjacent to the existing unsealed section.

Premier Colin Barnett in August pledged to stump-up $65 million for the staged construction of an all-weather sealed road from Broome to Cape Leveque - but that was subject to his government winning the March 2017 election.

The money has not been allocated in forward estimates or the mid-year review.

Mr Barnett welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment.

“The road will open up tourism and business opportunities along the length of the peninsula and provide much-needed improved safety and access for Aboriginal communities, pastoralists and pearling and aquaculture operations,” he said.

Cape Leveque Road is 200km long and 110km is already sealed. The remaining 90km is often impassable during the wet season, officially between October and March.

About 1,425 people live in 71 Aboriginal communities on the Dampier Peninsula.

Federal Durack MP Melissa Price believes the roadworks hold the key to prosperity.

“The Cape Leveque Road upgrade will unlock great tourism potential for the Dampier Peninsula and I look forward to when it opens,” she said.