The federal and the Northern Territory governments have invested an additional $53m to support shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades in an effort to boost local jobs and underpin economic growth.
These additional funds build on the earlier $147m infrastructure investment announced in November. The funding is expected to help the territory as it recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The package consists of $40.4m investment from the federal government and $12.7m funding from the Northern Territory.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this investment will also play a crucial role in the federal government's JobMaker plan.
"Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs," he said.
The federal government is working closely with the Northern Territory government to identify shovel-ready projects, with a focus on road safety upgrades, particularly along major routes such as the Stuart, Barkly, Carpentaria and Victoria Highways.
Roughly $34.6m of the fund was intended for life-saving road safety improvements, which include sealing shoulders, and improving or installing guardrails, truck stops and audio-tactile line markings to reduce crashes.
Michael McCormack, minister for infrastructure, transport, and regional development, said the locking in priority upgrades that will increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time it is needed most.
"By investing in critical infrastructure projects across the country, we are doing more than just supporting local jobs and businesses at this critical time. We are investing in our future beyond COVID-19 by delivering lasting infrastructure which will benefit Australians for years to come," he said.
