Hann Highway Action Group and Advance Cairns advocates sealing funding

$53.3 million had been allocated to two sections of the highway. The road would need further sealing but this current amount was the largest sum yet put towards the road.

Mr Lethbridge owns Werrington Station north of Hughenden. The property depends on the road to transport freight to market. 

“This almost 50 million will be spent by December 2019 so in that time we will continue to have the importance of the road promoted at all levels of government,” Mr Lethbridge said. 

“So that by the time this 50 million is spent there will be another 50 million to complete the whole job.” 

Mr Lethbridge said sealing of the highway was essential to the development of the proposed Hughenden abattoir. 

The abattoir would likely halve Werrington Station’s freight costs. 

“Freight costs make up to 15 to 20 per cent of our sale price,” he said. 

“If we half that it is a significant saving of our efficiency back into our business. 

“There are properties up here paying $150 a head freight to sell their cattle to get processed in Brisbane. Probably more like $170 at times. We’re all affected by that. 

“It is all money back in graziers’ pockets so therefore it adds to economic viability of the whole region.” 

Director of Advance Cairns development group, Stewart Smith, said sealing of the highway was of significance to the Atherton Tablelands, and this was why it pushed politicians for funding.

“We forget how isolated we can be,” Mr Smith said. 

“You can grow produce but you have got to get it to a competitive market.

“It’s basically two days quicker (than the Bruce Highway) for the produce to get to the market and then if you are taking bigger trucks – triples – the economics become beautiful.

“The road should never be flooded, and if it is it will only be for two or three hours.” 

A sealed highway would also be attractive to grey nomads, Mr Smith said. 

“It’s going to be phenomenal for Hughenden and all the towns.”