MP slams fatal roads
STATE MP Robbie Katter says there are still “strong requirements” for roads to be widened across the Gulf of Carpentaria region after a man was killed in a weekend accident on a remote bush road.
The 30-year-old died after the car he was a passenger in crashed about 60km south of Burketown on the Wills Developmental Rd.
The man was in a Toyota HiLux when the 20-year-old male driver lost control of the vehicle.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Police investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing, but Mr Katter said the single lanes on Gulf roads were a danger.
“We’re just on the tail end of tourism season, too, and it doesn’t take too much if you have inexperienced tourists driving in the area,” he said.
“But the single lanes still create a problem.
“There’s also lots of wildlife up there.
“The further you go north into the Gulf, you can become complacent and start speeding, but you get a lot more wildlife activity.
“There’s still some strong requirements to widen some roads up in the Gulf and particularly from Georgetown to Normanton – that’s becoming more and more dangerous, and there is more and more pressure on government there to make it safe in that region.
“Lawn Hill National Park has gone from 4000 visitors to 40,000 in under 20 years, so that gives you an idea of the additional activity on roads out there.”
Burketown pub worker Cody Clemments said the remote road was usually very safe and news of the death came as a shock to the community.
“They were station workers from nearby. I think they were mates,” he said. “It’s a bit of a shock to people around here.
“The road is not that dangerous. It’s a pretty good road, the only thing is when the wallabies and the cattle come out, you have to watch them.”
In July 2017, three people died after a single-vehicle crash about 40km north of Gregory Downs Station on the Wills Development Rd.
A seven-year-old girl survived that crash.
Queensland Police are still seeking information over Saturday’s incident. Contact Policelink on 131 444.