Pride as tar seal link-up looms

HOPE Vale will finally be linked to Cooktown with a seamless bitumen road for the first time as crews prepare to start work on the final stretch of Endeavour Valley Rd.

The State Government has chipped in an extra $4.5 million to finish sealing the final 2.87km stretch of the important Cape York link.

Roads Minister Mark Bailey said 7.51km of road had already been sealed in a joint state-federal funding partnership over the past three years.

He said the project focused on upskilling local workers from Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council, which services a population of about 1500.

“An average 14 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the project,” he said.

“The (work) will also support more jobs in the future through the necessary ongoing maintenance all roads require.”

An indigenous-owned quarry has been used to supply material for the project.

Hope Vale Mayor Greg McLean said the significance of having a proper link to the outside world could not be understated and was a matter of pride for local people.

“Finally we will have a decent road between Hope Vale and Cooktown, which is a big thing for our business and industry here,” he said.

“At one stage people were saying the road was too thin, that it shouldn’t be done because we’re just Aboriginals.

“We pay the same price for vehicles and we pay registration for roads too.

“Our people can around just like any Australian.”

Early works are expected to start in April next year and be completed in August, but timing will depend on when the wet season ends. drive other

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