PEOPLE POWER PAVES WAY FOR HANN FUNDING WIN
March 28, 2025
Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) is pleased to confirm that the Federal Government has allocated $70 million in the Federal Budget to complete the sealing of the final 10.8km of the Kennedy Development Road (the Hann Highway).
KAP Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said the milestone achievement underscored the importance of people power.
He said years of lobbying, particularly by local governments such as the Flinders Shire Council, had led to the win.
“As is always the case in the regions, we have to fight very hard to get the kind of funding and attention that is taken for granted in the cities,” Mr Katter said.
“The sealing of this final stretch will open up huge economic opportunity in that the southern states will be now connected to Far North Queensland via a proper inland highway, and will just generally reduce the North’s transport network vulnerabilities – something we have all been acutely reminded of given this very intense current wet season.
“The finalisation of the Hann means that if you’re in the fruit and vegetable game and carting freight from the tropical far North to Melbourne to Sydney or back, you will be able to save upto 13 hours of burning rubber and diesel from driving up along the coast.
“For our local communities, directing major freight transporters to the Hann takes a lot of road rains off the highway which saves the wear and tear and reduces congestion.
“If you take one triple road train down the Hann you can take two b-doubles off the Bruce, which is a big thing.”
KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter gave credit to "the visionaries who set this all in motion”.
“If it wasn't for the leadership and vision of Russell Lethbridge and Trent Twomey, this inland highway would never have gotten off the ground and the North would be in a dire position every wet season,” he said.
“Russell and Trent saw what many of us have now recognised as an essential alternate route between the north and the south."
"Thanks must also go to the Prime Minister for confirming this week that this upgrade would be funded and for ensuring that these funds were reflected in the Federal Budget."
“This funding win shows what can be achieved when people power and persistence come together – but we won’t stop fighting for more.
“For too long, our regional roads have been overlooked while the cities get all the attention.
“Every wet season, our communities and supply chains suffer – to ensure all weather access to the far north we also need works to raise the Bruce Highway at Gairloch and Seymour Rivers, north of Ingham and to raise and widen strategic sections on the highway between the Tablelands and Charters Towers.
"We must have proactive investment in our northern road network, not just reactionary spending after a disaster.”
Flinders Shire Council Mayor Kate Peddle said she was elated with the funding win for the final stretch of the Hann.
"I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support from both Bob Katter and Robbie Katter," she said.
"Their political muscle and relentless lobbying, combined with the support of Advance Cairns and the North West Regional Organisation of Councils (NWROC), have united to secure our commitment to completing the sealing of the remaining section of the Kennedy Development Road.
“While we eagerly await detailed information on the funding, we emphasize the importance of the two crossings at Bundock and Einsaleigh, which were championed to meet the objectives of the inland alternative route to the Bruce Highway after the devastating rain event earlier in the year.
"The funding announcement coincided with my birthday, and our State Member, Robbie, sent me a playful message asking if I appreciated the birthday gift they had organized for me - needless to say, I was thrilled!
"These announcements don't come easy, especially when competing with so many regions in need of funding for their roads."
Cr Peddle also extended a heartfelt thank you to John Wharton, Chair of the North West Queensland Road and Rail Group (NWQRRG).
"Cr Wharton’s wisdom and collaborative approach have been integral to securing funding in the North West,” she said.
The Kennedy Developmental Road is a key strategic link from northern Australia to the southern freight hubs of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
The road is central to tourism, horticulture, freight, and cattle movement through Queensland's north and north-west region but for many years, sections of the road remained unsealed, causing safety issues for locals, tourists, and transport operators who regularly used the route whilst deterring others.
ENDS
Media inquiries: Morgan Oss, 0428 772 544