The seaside town of Exmouth will receive a jobs and economic boost with $20 million committed to upgrade key roads and infrastructure.
The McGowan Government has secured Commonwealth funding to upgrade key Exmouth roads and will deliver these projects with the Shire of Exmouth, supporting up to 90 local jobs.
Two sections of the Minilya-Exmouth Road, which provides access to the iconic Ningaloo Reef, will be upgraded.
The road was constructed in 1964 and is in need of widening and resurfacing to meet the increase in demand and usage due to the town’s popularity with tourists, particularly grey nomads.
One 18-kilometre section, about three kilometres south of the Ningaloo turnoff to three kilometres north of Burkett Road, will be widened from 5.6 metres to nine metres.
Priority sections will also be upgraded between the North West Coastal Highway turnoff towards Lyndon River Crossing. These improvements will target those sections with high embankment and substandard width geometry to provide the greatest safety benefit to road users, particularly during the wet season.
Funding has also been allocated for the realignment of Yardie Creek Road around the Lighthouse Caravan Park development to improve safety and amenity for visitors to the region.
These projects will prepare the region for the rare hybrid eclipse event on April 20, 2023 that will only be visible in Australia from the Exmouth Peninsula, with an estimated 10,000 eclipse chasers and visitors to descend on the seaside town.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“This $20 million investment in key Exmouth roads will support local jobs while improving access to the region for locals and tourists alike.
“Exmouth is a popular location for tourists for good reason – with its pristine beaches and easy access to the iconic Ningaloo Reef it attracts many local, interstate and international tourists each year.
“Upgrades to key thoroughfares such as Minilya-Exmouth Road and Yardie Creek Road will make it safer for locals and tourists to access key attractions as well as providing potential commercial opportunities.”
