Manuwarra Red Dog Highway

Question

1. Given the acknowledged $300 million funding shortfall for Stage 4 of the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway, what specific consideration has the Department provided to this project in the 2026-27 Budget and forward estimates, and how does the Government justify its current funding prioritisation framework in light of the project's stated economic and freight productivity benefits for the Pilbara? 2. With environmental approvals secured and Indigenous Land Use Agreements progressing, does the Department classify the final stage of the Red Dog Highway as ''investment-ready'', and if so, why has it not been elevated within the national infrastructure pipeline managed in coordination with Infrastructure Australia? 3. What updated cost-benefit analysis or economic modelling has been undertaken by the Department to quantify the freight efficiency gains, supply chain resilience improvements, and regional economic uplift associated with completing the Red Dog Highway, and how does this compare with other funded road projects in regional and remote Australia? 4. In the absence of full funding, what is the Department's assessment of the risk profile associated with delaying Stage 4, including potential cost escalation, contractual inefficiencies, and loss of economic opportunity for the Pilbara region, and has any formal risk mitigation strategy been developed? 5. What formal agreements or negotiations are currently underway between the Commonwealth, the Government of Western Australia, and Traditional Owner groups to finalise delivery arrangements for Stage 4, and what contingencies are in place should Indigenous Land Use Agreements not be concluded within anticipated timeframes?

Answer

Please see attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000732.pdf (opens in a new tab)