MEDIA RELEASE
The Outback Way: Reflecting on a Milestone Year and Driving Toward 2025
December 2024
As the year draws to a close, the Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC) celebrates a year of significant progress and partnerships, driving the vision of the Outback Way as Australia’s longest shortcut toward completion.
2024: A Year of Achievements
This year, the Outback Way has continued its transformative journey as the sealing project for the 2,720-kilometer route progresses toward the 2032 completion goal. Highlights from the year include:
- Infrastructure Investment: The current $1.2B Outback Way project continues as sealing works advance across critical stretches, ensuring safety and accessibility for industries, communities and travellers.
- Outback Way Forum Success: The Canberra-hosted Forum brought together key stakeholders, highlighting the importance of the Outback Way for collaborative national development, industry growth, and regional sustainability.
- Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement: ongoing consultations across Western Australia (WA) Northern Territory and Queensland emphasised inclusive development, generating critical input for the Outback Way Action Plan.
- Outback Way Action Plan: The release of the Outback Way Action Plan, the result of extensive stakeholder consultations prior to and ongoing post the Outback Way Forum in Canberra. Now available via www.outbackway.org.au
- Bulldust to Bitumen - the first 25years of the Outback Way: book release, perfect Christmas gift, available via www.outbackway.org.au website
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond - A Vision for National Connectivity
The OHDC is focused on turning the Outback Way Action Plan into a practical Blueprint that maps out opportunities for industries, communities, and tourism along the route. The sealing of the Outback Way is more than a road project; it’s a legacy for Australia. By connecting communities from Winton in Queensland to Laverton in WA, the Outback Way supports tourism, agriculture, mining, and logistics, unlocking economic and social potential.
Join Us on the Journey
The OHDC extends its gratitude for the bi-partisan support from government, stakeholders, partners, and supporters for their dedication to this monumental project. As we look toward 2025, we invite more organisations, government agencies, and communities to collaborate on making the Outback Way an enduring success.
For more information, visit www.outbackway.org.au.
For media enquiries:
Melanie Forbes
General Manager, Outback Highway Development Council
Australia's longest shortcut
