APPEA Australian Petroleum Production & Explorat : Industry welcomes commitment to upgrade Strzelecki Track

APPEA welcomes the South Australian Government's commitment of funding towards the sealing of the Strzelecki Track in the State's far north.

The commitment comes after a report by state, federal and local government authorities found sealing the track would deliver a $1.4 billion boost to the SA economy over the next four decades through increased tourism, resources development, beef cattle production and road freight.

The Government has announced it will provide $90 million towards the estimated $450 million cost of the project.

APPEA Director South Australia Matthew Doman said the Strzelecki was the key transport corridor into the Cooper Basin, one of Australia's most significant onshore oil and gas provinces.

'The Cooper Basin plays a crucial role in meeting the energy needs of eastern Australia,' Mr Doman said

'For many decades the Cooper has been Australia's most important source of onshore gas and is still the country's largest onshore oil producing region.

'Improved access to the Cooper and lower transport costs will improve the long-term economics of servicing the basin and support ongoing oil and gas production.

'Other important industries, including pastoralism, tourism, mining and interstate transport, would also benefit from better road access to the through north-eastern South Australia.'

Mr Doman urged the Australian Government to consider supporting the project