Cape York Region Package Stage 2
The Cape York Region Package Stage 2 is a program of works to deliver infrastructure upgrades on the Cape York Peninsula between 2019-20 and 2024-25.
Benefits
- Improves network resilience
- Improves network efficiency
- Reduces travel time
- Reduces maintenance
- Improves safety
- Contributes to regional growth
Key features
Cape York Region Package Stage 2 includes:
- $275.63 million to progressively seal priority sections of the Peninsula Developmental Road
- $47.5 million to progressively seal priority sections of community access roads.
Funding
- Total investment
- $323.13 million
- Australian Government
- $258.5 million
- Queensland Government
- $64.63 million
Cape York Region Package Stage 2
Peninsula Developmental Road
The Peninsula Developmental Road subprogram features 11 projects:- 8 pave and seal projects on the Peninsula Developmental Road between Laura and Coen
- 1 pave and seal project north of the Archer River, including the Aurukun Access Road intersection
- construction of the Archer River Bridge southern approach
- construction of the Archer River Bridge.
Cape York Region Package Stage 2 will seal about 55km of the Peninsula Developmental Road, leaving about 145km remaining unsealed.
The Queensland Government has made a $60 million funding commitment for Stage 3 of the Cape York Region Package, available from 2026-27 onwards. The Queensland Government's 20% contribution to Stage 3, is subject to negotiation with the Australian Government.
Peninsula Developmental Road bridge naming
Submissions are now closed to name 3 new bridges on the Peninsula Developmental Road:
- Archer River bridge
- Saltwater Creek bridge at Musgrave
- South Laura bridge.
Scholarship program
Applications for the 2027 scholarship round are now open.
Since 2017, we have offered Peninsula Developmental Road Scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as part of the Peninsula Developmental Road Indigenous Land Use Agreement within the Cape York Region Package.
Scholarship funds can be used towards educational expenses, including tertiary fees. The program has been extended through to 2028 with 6 student scholarships offered each year. Each year, we offer:
- 4 high school scholarships worth $2,250 each – $750 per year over 3 years.
- 2 tertiary scholarships worth $40,000 each – $10,000 per year over 4 years.
For more information, visit Peninsula Developmental Road Scholarships.
Community Access Roads Program
In partnership with the Torres and Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) we are also finalising a program of works to upgrade unsealed sections of primary road access to a number of remote Cape York communities.
| Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance Access Roads | Map reference | Total seal (km) | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pormpuraaw Access Road | 1 | 1.9 | Replace Colman River causeway and seal |
| 2 | 5 | Bitumen seal including drainage | |
| 3 | 6.5 | Bitumen seal including drainage | |
| 4 | 7 | Bitumen seal including drainage | |
| Portland Roads Road (Lockhart River Access Road) | 5 | 5.4 | Bitumen seal including drainage |
| 7 | 1 | Large drainage structure (Claudie River - Western) | |
| Aurukun Access Road | 8 | 8 | Bitumen seal including drainage |
| 9 | 6 | Bitumen seal including drainage | |
| 10 | 6 | Bitumen seal including drainage | |
| 11 | 1.8 | Bitumen seal including drainage | |
| Northern Peninsula Road | 12 | 8.4 | Bitumen seal including drainage |
| 13 | 11.9 | Bitumen seal including drainage |
Social, Environmental and Economic Impact Assessment for Cape York Region Package Stage 1
At the completion of Cape York Region Package Stage 1 a Social, Environmental and Economic Impact Assessment was conducted. The department developed the framework to evaluate the broader outcomes and impacts of transport projects in Queensland, including projects in rural and remote regions. This framework identified the social, economic and environmental impacts from the initial Cape York Region Package funding which will support the case for further funding.