The Australian Government has offered to fund a major road project for the Belyando Shire as part of an extra $250 million in AusLink Strategic Regional Programme funding for the 2006/07 financial year that was officially announced today. The Coalition Federal Government has offered the Council $969,272 toward the cost of the Huntley Road Upgrade – Stage 1. Leader of The Nationals in the Senate, Ron Boswell, said the proposed additional road funding would boost the regional economy by supporting the booming coal industry, the cattle and tourism industries, and would better connect the area to the national road network. “This road project is to seal the pavement and upgrade creek crossings along 7.2 km of Huntley Road from the intersection with the Gregory Highway, near Clermont, to eliminate dust,” Senator Boswell said. “Better, more efficient transport operations provided through improved infrastructure lower costs for local industry and also sustain local jobs, so this latest announcement is great news for the people of the Shire,” Senator Boswell said. “The Australian Government funding offered will be available to be paid to Belyando Shire Council by 30 June, so it will be on the table pretty much immediately,” Senator Boswell said. In last week’s budget, the Australian Government also announced an investment of an extra $300 million in the AusLink Strategic Regional Programme under AusLink 2, which will enable councils to submit new applications. The extra funding will be allocated in two $150 million funding rounds held in 2009–10 and 2011–12. ENDS