Australia's Queensland Government has awarded a contract to North Queensland Civil Engineering Contracting (NQCEC) for sealing works on the 9.2km road stretch of Peninsula Developmental Road from Myall Creek to Rio Boundary. 

The sealing project is part of the A$260.5m ($205m) Cape York Region Package.  

This project has been designed to improve safety and connectivity for local communities, freight operators and tourists in the Cape York region. 

For the Cape York Region Package, the Australian government is providing A$208.4m ($164.2m), and the Queensland government is contributing A$52.1m ($41m). 

The package is expected to create more than 120 direct jobs over duration of the programme.

"This new project will seal another key section of the PDR, connecting remote Cape York communities and improving road safety and travel times."

Australia Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said: “The Cape York Region Package is in its fourth year of delivery with more than 130km of road sealing delivered along the Peninsula Developmental Road with four more projects scheduled to start this dry season.”

The Myall Creek to Rio Boundary project is expected to be completed later this year.

Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Steven Miles said: "The company has long-standing experience delivering projects within the Cape York region and has recently delivered the 5km Little Laura to Fairview road sealing project, with Indigenous employees accounting for 94% of work staff in October 2016. 

"This new project will seal another key section of the PDR, connecting remote Cape York communities and improving road safety and travel times for motorists, travellers, and of course heavy vehicles."