NEWELL HIGHWAY INVESTMENT ACCELERATED: McCORMACK
RIVERINA MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says the Riverina and Central West will benefit from a $570 million state-wide infrastructure package.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has been working with states and territories to bring forward critical road projects across Australia to drive jobs, strengthen the economy and get people home sooner and safer.
Mr McCormack, who is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, said the Australian Government was investing heavily in key roads in regional NSW, which are vital to improved safety and supporting the economy through improved connectivity to the regions and to our markets.
“The Government recognises the need for these key rural roads to receive the upgrades they need to be safer, more efficient transport corridors as soon as possible,” Mr McCormack said.
“In the Riverina and Central West, we are accelerating the $200 million investment in the Newell Highway to support construction of the Parkes Bypass and the delivery of the Inland Rail.
“The Parkes Bypass has been talked about for a long time and I am proud to be part of a Government which has committed to making it a reality.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering this vital piece of infrastructure so commuters using the Newell Highway can get to their destination sooner and safer.
“It will also take trucks away from the current route through Parkes which will reduce congestion and delays caused by two rail level crossings and four 90-degree bends which are difficult for heavy vehicles to safely navigate. It will also improve the amenity of the Parkes Central Business District.
“We are also bringing forward $185 million for the Toowoomba to Seymour corridor under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative.”
“Investments under ROSI will address pinch points and impediments to efficient freight movements along the corridor, improving travel times, better connecting communities and supporting the economy.
“This investment will be informed by the Newell Highway Corridor Strategy, which is considering efficient outcomes in the movement of regional freight, challenges such as road safety and flooding, as well as the relationship between the Newell Highway and Inland Rail.
“The Newell Highway is the longest highway in New South Wales and provides a major freight and passenger transport connection to Victoria and Queensland.
“Many towns, farmers and small businesses throughout the Central West, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and western NSW rely on the Newell to connect product from paddock to plate, as well as providing a vital economic boost to communities along the highway.
“We want to work with communities along the Newell to see how we can ensure it continues to be the lifeblood of the region, as well as ensuring those who use it can get home sooner and safer.”
The NSW package includes the acceleration of $530 million in federal funding across three major regional projects to increase safety, improve freight productivity and boost tourism.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said $212 million of the new package would be spent in the next 18 months as part of a $33 billion investment in NSW infrastructure from the Federal Government since the 2013 election.
“We’re bringing forward these important projects to cut travel times and make roads safer while boosting jobs and the economy,” the Prime Minister said.
“We can get these projects moving because of our responsible economic management rather than the sort of knee-jerk reactions we’ve seen in the past from Labor. This is a key part of our plan for a stronger economy and our pipeline of $100 billion worth of congestion-busting roads and rail.
“We’re also injecting $20 million in extra funding for the final link of the vital Pacific Highway upgrade and we’ve locked in $8.8 million for the Brig O’Johnston Bridge project at Clarence Town and $7.9 million for the Davey Road Interchange.”
Newell Highway upgrade package brought forward:
• $200 million for the $400 million Newell Highway Upgrades package
o Funding will flow from next year and the following three years to enable the start of works, including the Parkes Bypass project, after previously being allocated beyond 2024–25.
o The Australian Government’s contribution to the package is $400 million.
o The NSW Government is partnering with the Australian Government on both funding and delivery of works on this corridor.
o Further investment decisions will be informed by the Australian Government’s Newell Highway Corridor Strategy and will target improved safety for all road users and help realise transport efficiency gains offered through the delivery of Inland Rail.
• $185 million for the $300 million Toowoomba to Seymour (NSW section) Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) package
o Funding to flow immediately and over the next three years to enable the start of works after previously being allocated beyond 2020–21.
o The Australian Government is fully funding Stage 2 of the Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla project ($81.1 million) and the Tooraweenah Road Upgrade project ($23 million)
oThis package will deliver upgrades targeting increases in higher efficiency freight vehicle access and improving the overall efficiency and safety of the corridor.