Heavy vehicle routes in the Parkes electorate will soon be more efficient, more reliable and safer thanks to more than $14 million in upgrades being funded under the Coalition Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said the funding is a huge win for vital agriculture and transport industries as well as road users right across his electorate.
“This is fantastic news for truck drivers travelling throughout our regions, with the Parkes electorate receiving funding for seven projects under this funding round,” Mr Coulton said.
“We all understand how important it is to upgrade these roads, because we drive them often and see firsthand the opportunities that the agriculture and transport industries provide.
“These growing industries rely on safe and efficient heavy vehicle routes and I’m very pleased that such a significant investment has been committed in the Gunnedah, Brewarrina, Walgett, Cobar, Boggabri and Narrabri areas.”
Funding in the Parkes electorate under round six of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program includes:
• $5,850,000 for Gunnedah Shire Council
• $5,000,000 for Brewarrina Shire Council
• $2,400,000 for Walgett Shire Council
• $1,000,000 for Cobar Shire Council
• $662,500 for Roads and Maritime Services, Boggabri/Narrabri
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program provides funding to local councils and State and Territory Governments to help fund works designed to improve the safety and efficiency of important heavy vehicle routes around the nation.
“Around Australia we are investing in helping people get home sooner and safer, no matter where they live. That’s why we are continuing to deliver road funding where it’s needed,” Mr McCormack said.
More on the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, including a full list of successful round six projects, is available at: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/heavy_vehicle_safety_and_productivity.aspx
Media Contacts:
Michael McCormack – Colin Bettles 0447 718 781 | Dom Hopkinson 0409 421 209
Mark Coulton – Anna Tickle 0400 050 729
Funding:
Brewarrina Shire Council
$5,000,000
Goodooga Road, Brewarrina – Strengthen and seal road and replace two bridges.
The sealing of 96km of Goodooga Road and the replacement of two bridges between Brewarrina and Hebel, will reduce travel time and transport costs for heavy vehicles.
Cobar Shire Council
$1,000,000
Grain Road, Euabalong – Strengthen and seal.
The sealing of 12km of Grain Road at Euabalong, will increase heavy vehicle productivity, provide all-weather access and improve safety.
Gunnedah Shire Council
$3,850,000
Grain Valley Road, Ghoolendaadi – Reconstruct and seal.
The reconstruction and sealing of Grain Valley Road and upgrading six unsealed floodways to concrete, will increase productivity, provide all-weather access for heavy vehicles, and improve safety.
Gunnedah Shire Council
$2,000,000
Bloomfield Street, Gunnedah – Strengthen and seal.
The strengthening and sealing of Bloomfield Street in Gunnedah, will increase productivity and access for heavy vehicles, and improve safety.
Roads and Maritime Services
$662,500
Kamilaroi Highway, Boggabri/Narrabri – Widen culverts.
The widening of three culverts on the Kamilaroi Highway between Boggabri and Narrabri, will improve access and increase productivity for heavy vehicles through reduced fuel costs and travel time.
Walgett Shire Council
$1,200,000
Come By Chance Road, Come By Chance – Seal.
The sealing and drainage improvements of Come By Chance Road in Come By Chance, will improve safety and provide all-weather access for heavy vehicles and other road users.
Walgett Shire Council
$1,200,000
Gundabloui Road, Collarenebri – Widen and seal.
The widening and sealing of 10.8km of Gundabloui Road between Collarenebri and Mungindi, will increase reliability for transporting freight during wet weather and greatly improve access to the bulk grain storage sites.
