Outback Way

Outback Way is a 2,700 km iconic route from Laverton in WA to Winton in QLD via Alice Springs – often referred to as ‘Australia’s Longest Shortcut’.

Over 1,400 km of the route remains ‘unsealed’, including almost 800 km of Great Central Road which is the WA section of the route.

Sealing of the WA section of road is being planned in various stages.Work is being delivered under an Alliance Contract between Main Roads, CareyMC and Central Earthmoving Company. Named the Wongutha Way Alliance (’Wongutha’ means the broad group of local Aboriginal people that reside in the area), the objective is to maximise Aboriginal employment and business opportunities to help benefit local communities.

We’re committed to ensuring that Aboriginal participation opportunities, both in terms of employment of Aboriginal people and procurement from Aboriginal businesses, are created through the work we carry out; a commitment which is fundamental to the vision and goals of Wongutha Way Alliance.

The State Government’s target for Aboriginal participation in the Goldfields is 9 per cent; however, the Wongutha Way Alliance is expecting to well exceed this target, reflecting on its commitment to provide training and job opportunities for local communities.

Aboriginal opportunities

The alliance started a construction training program which has seen thirteen local Aboriginal people participate so far. On-the-job training has been coupled with theory classes in Laverton as participants work towards completion of a Certificate III in Construction.

• YouTube: What Outback Way means to the community
• Project Update - June 2021 - PDF (2.25 MB)
• Project Update - October 2020 - PDF (3.58 MB)

Media Statements

• Sealing progresses on Great Central Road in Western Australian Outback - 31 July 2020 

Funding 

$164.1 million has jointly been committed by the Australian and State Governments to seal priority sections of Outback Way in Western Australia.

Wongutha Way Journey

Our logo was designed by local Wongutha artist, Noni Bonney. It is the story of the journey of the project.

The lines represent the road and the tracks of the people who are engaged with and for the project along the way.

The road connects each community as it passes through. Meetings take place with all stakeholders where they yarn to plan the works then celebrate as they move forward on the journey to the next destination.

The shape of the lines and locations of the communities is the map of the journey.