The Gwydir Shire has welcomed funding of over $8 million from the Australian Government.
Seen as a major win for agriculture transport and heavy vehicles supporting the construction of the Inland Rail in NSW, the funds will go towards upgrading the County Boundary Road at Croppa Creek.
Local Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said the project will provide a major link between the shires of Gwydir and Moree Plains.
“This $8.18 million commitment to improving our local roads infrastructure is a major win for the northern part of the Parkes electorate, with benefits set to flow right across the community,” he said.
“The upgraded County Boundary Road will support construction of the Inland Rail and local residential, rural and agricultural development, which will see this region continue to go from strength to strength,” said Coulton.
His brother John Coulton, Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council, is contributing a further $2.05 million to the jointly-funded project.
“This project will boost our region by providing an all-weather pavement that can support heavy vehicles travelling at up to 100 km/h,” he said in a statement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government is committed to the delivery of infrastructure projects that will better connect key regions to help meet the needs of our national freight challenge.
“We are investing in this approximately 12-kilometre upgrade of unsealed road, better connecting freight to markets and improving heavy vehicle productivity to lower transport costs for regional businesses,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“The Australian Government contribution is funded under our $4.6 billion Roads of Strategic Importance initiative, which is designed to better connect regional businesses to local and international markets.”
Works for the project are expected to commence mid-year for completion at the end of 2022.