You may have heard of Tanami Road, as it’s one of the main routes from the Kimberley into the Northern Territory. The Tanami stretches from Halls Creek to Alice Springs, spanning 1035 kilometres. You’d also likely be aware that it’s largely unsealed. This is about to change.
What’s happening?
Infrastructure minister, Catherine King, has announced that $400 million will be allocated to sealing Tanami Road. This, however, is not a new decision. The previous government had already committed to the sealing in April, so it’s a plan that has been coming to light after long being advocated for.
Shire president Malcolm Edwards said that construction on the Tanami was expected to begin in 2023. It’s planned along the Great Northern Highway through to Ruby Plains. The whole road is to be sealed by 2030.
Why is it being sealed?
As with most unsealed roads, Tanami is a challenge to drive. It’s known for being rough, corrugated and is often criticised for its poor condition. Going through during the wet season? Don’t even think about it. Sections of the road become impassable every wet season. By having it sealed, the military would benefit as it’d be simpler and easier to move military equipment and heavier vehicles to the region, if need be. John Coyne, Northern Australia’s strategic policy expert, said the nation’s leaders need to focus on sealing outback roads as a priority in military planning.
Important in the event of natural disasters
Supply chain expert Elizabeth Jackson, said that natural disasters had propelled this issue back into the spotlight. The floods that occurred in January cut WA off from the rest of the nation. She said, “our current systems are nowhere near resilient enough particularly for a nation that is so exposed to natural disasters.” If this year’s weather is anything to go off, we need to be proactive in preparing for these floods. Sealing the road is one way to do this.
Sealing some of these roads is the government’s way of investing in Australia’s future. Whether it’s to stop supply chain issues or to simply make the road a safer place for vehicles. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of unsealed roads out there where you can enjoy 4X4 fun!
