Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton met with Coonamble Shire Mayor Tim Horan in Coonamble last week.

Shovels will hit the ground on two priority roads projects for Coonamble Shire Council, thanks to a $1,859,636 investment from the Australian Government which is creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton met with Coonamble Shire Mayor Tim Horan in Coonamble last week to discuss the upgrades to Box Ridge Road and Gulargambone Road, which have been approved under Phase 3 of the former Coalition Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

The funding includes $1,225,140 to widen, reconstruct and seal six sections of Box Ridge Road, from its intersection with the Castlereagh Highway eastwards to about 14 kilometres from Gulargambone. Two culverts will also be widened as part of this project.

The remaining $634,496 will be used to widen, reconstruct and seal three sections of Gulargambone Road to about six kilometres from town.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said this funding provides the opportunity for Coonamble Shire Council to complete key projects that will provide lasting benefits.

“With the challenges presented by COVID-19, bushfires, floods and the drought, the past couple of years have been tough for communities, businesses and local councils,” Mr Coulton said.

“The LRCI Program is providing a vital boost for councils, backing local jobs and economic growth while delivering important projects that will benefit residents for years to come.

“These upgrades will result in safer and smoother journeys for all road users, while the construction will create employment for local contractors which is especially important as we continue our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mayor Tim Horan welcomed the Australian Government’s assistance for these important local roads out of Gulargambone, as well as other recent projects, such as the installation of a pedestrian crossing in front of the St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School in Tooloon Street, Coonamble.

“These opportunities for funding are particularly welcome when we have a small number of ratepayers but significant lengths of roads to maintain to sustain our communities,” Mayor Horan said.

Coonamble Shire Council received $929,818 under the first phase of the LRCI program and $723,922 under Phase 2. This Phase 3 funding brings the total LRCI funding allocation for Coonamble Shire Council to $3,513,376.

For more information on the $2.5 billion LRCI program, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/local-roads-and-community-infrastructure/.