Next Section of Works Underway for APY Lands Main Access Road Upgrade Project

28 September 2015

The next section of construction works to upgrade 210 kilometres of the main access road between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands is now underway.

The next section of construction works to upgrade 210 kilometres of the main access road between the Stuart Highway and Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands is now underway.

South Australian company Lucas Total Contract Solutions is upgrading the section of road from Iwantja (Indulkana) to the Stuart Highway.

The works include reconstruction and sealing of the existing 7 kilometre road alignment and will involve improvements to the drainage.

The road improvements will provide a range of community benefits and will contribute to national and State Aboriginal Affairs policy objectives.

The government in consultation with the APY Executive Board has committed to ensuring a minimum 30 per cent of the total onsite labour hours will be undertaken by local Anangu.

Traffic control measures will be in place to ensure the safety of road workers and the travelling public.

Construction of this section is expected to be completed by January 2016, weather permitting.

The first section of upgrade works from Pukatja (Ernabella) to the Pukatja airstrip was successfully completed in August 2015.

Australian and South Australian Governments have committed funding of $106.25 million to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands Main Access Road Upgrade Project.

 The Australian Government’s contribution is $85 million and the State Government’s $21.25 million. The project is due for completion in late 2019.

Further information on the APY Lands Road Upgrade is available at www.dpti.sa.gov.au/apylands.