AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST SHORTCUT
From Laverton, Western Australia to Winton, Queensland, via the Northern Territory’s Red Centre -
The Outback Way, carves a well-worn 2700km track through the heart of Australia.
SEALING DASHBOARD
DASHBOARD Updated August 2026
MEDIA RELEASE 5 AUGUST 2026
OHDC Calls for National Regional Deal to Unlock Full Benefits of the Outback Way
Alice Springs, 5 August 2026
The Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC) has called on the Commonwealth, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australian Governments to establish a formal intergovernmental agreement and Regional Deal to secure the long-term social and economic benefits of the Outback Way.
Meeting in Alice Springs today representatives of local governments from across the Outback Way corridor unanimously agreed that the next phase of the project must extend beyond sealing the road and focus on coordinated development of the communities, services and economic opportunities that will support Australia's third transcontinental highway.
The decision follows the release of the OHDC’s updated Outback Way Action Plan which concluded that while completing the sealing of the 2,720-kilometre corridor remains essential, it is the first step to realising the full benefits of the project.
The OHDC believes that without coordinated investment in telecommunications, emergency services, fuel and water infrastructure, tourism facilities, freight logistics, workforce development, housing and community services, the region risks missing significant economic and social opportunities while facing increased safety and service pressures.
The Council is seeking a formal agreement between the four governments to recognise the Outback Way as a nationally significant regional development corridor rather than a series of separate road projects managed across jurisdictional boundaries.
Under the proposal, participating governments would establish a coordinated framework to guide investment, clarify responsibilities and develop a shared implementation roadmap for the corridor's future development.
OHDC Chair Patrick Hill from Laverton in Western Australia said, “This collaboration by governments is needed to realise the full social and economic potential of a highway infrastructure spine through the centre of the country which will intersect with existing north south routes.”
“Our OHDC Action Plan identified a major coordination gap across the length of the highway, with no adequately resourced body or authority currently responsible for managing "beyond the road" issues at a whole-of-corridor scale.
Delivering the Full Promise of the Outback Way
The proposed Regional Deal would focus on:
Establishing a formal Commonwealth-State-Territory partnership.
Creating a whole-of-highway coordination mechanism.
Defining responsibilities across governments, First Nations organisations, industry and community stakeholders.
Developing a shared implementation roadmap and investment sequence.
Embedding First Nations governance, co-design and benefit-sharing arrangements.
Securing long-term commitments to maintenance and national corridor standards.
Deputy OHDC Chair Cr Rick Britton from Boulia said, “The proposal is intended to ensure the Outback Way realises its full potential as a strategic national asset”.
“The sealed Outback Way will deliver opportunities and benefits across transport, defence, tourism, supply-chain resilience, regional development and First Nations enterprise opportunities”, Cr Britton said.
The OHDC emphasised that local governments will play a critical role in delivering the benefits of the corridor but should not be expected to take on additional responsibilities.
The OHDC reaffirmed that the Outback Way remains one of Australia's most significant nation-building infrastructure projects.
"Completing the sealing of the Outback Way will be an historic milestone," Cr Hill said.
"However, the real opportunity lies in ensuring that the communities, businesses and industries along the corridor are equipped to capture the social and economic benefits that will follow.
"The Outback Way has the potential to become far more than a road. With coordinated government action, it can become a catalyst for regional prosperity, stronger communities and greater national resilience."
ENDS
Media Contact:
Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC)
· Cr Patrick Hill, Chair OHDC and President Laverton Shire Council M: 0419 925 371
· Cr Rick Britton, Deputy Chair OHDC and Mayor, Boulia Shire Council M: 0407 122 430
· Mayor Asta Hill, Alice Springs Town Council M: 0409 269 827
media release june 2026, click here
Outback Way Action Plan 2.0 launched, June 22 in Parliament House, Canberra.
our story
The Outback Way, when sealed will be Australia’s third transnational east to west road. Originally the vision of Patrick Hill, who in 1997 raised the idea and garnered support from all the Local Councils along the route. This led a motion from the floor of the Australian Local Government Association Conference. A motion that was in essence, to seal the existing roads and create the Outback Way.
The Outback Highway Development Council Inc. was formed in 1998 and the Alliance of Councils has continuously supported the development through both financial and in-kind support. The Organisation continuously lobby’s for the upgrade and promotes the benefits, including tourism that the sealing of the Outback Way will bring.
For the full story of the the first 25years of the Outback Way, head over to our online store and get yourself a copy of Bulldust to Bitumen.
ABC BACKROADS: 2 Episodes filmed on the Outback Way, available for viewing now:
Northern Goldfields Economic & Investment Prospectus
Discover the key projects and opportunities shaping one of WA’s most dynamic regions. The Prospectus provides an overview of economic growth and regional development potential of the region —highlighting why the Northern Goldfields is primed for sustainable, long-term investment.
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Outback Way visitors can enjoy searching for the 45 treasure boxes hidden along the Outback Way – Geocache Trail. The ‘Treasure Hunt’ requires a handheld GPS to find the ‘treasure’ hidden at a given latitude / longitude coordinate. The ‘treasure’ is usually a small cannister box that contains a few trinkets and a notebook. You take a trinket out, put a trinket in, and sign the note book – if you choose, you can register your find at geocaching.com. We have a geocache starter kit available in our shop.
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From across The Outback Way we acknowledge the Koa People, Pitta Pitta People, Kalkadoon People, Yulluna People, Yalarrnga People, Bularnu Waluwarra Wangkayuju People, Wangkamahdla People, Arrente Nation, Anangu People, Yarnangu People, Wankatja People as traditional custodians and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, their connection to land, waters and community, and the contribution they have made and continue to make to the region that The Outback Way traverses.