$8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR COUNTY BOUNDARY ROAD UPGRADE

The Australian Government has committed $8.18 million to upgrade the County Boundary Road at Croppa Creek, which has been welcomed across the Gwydir Shire.

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 our regions, improve safety on our roads and meet 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.”

Local Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said the project will support the construction of Inland Rail and 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,” Minister Coulton 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.

“I look forward to works getting underway mid-year, with completion expected by the end of 2022, weather permitting.”

Gwydir Shire Council Mayor John Coulton said Council had welcomed the Australian Government funding announcement.

“The Gwydir Council and the Australian Government are working in partnership to upgrade County Boundary Road,” Cr Coulton said.

“This project will boost our region by providing an all-weather pavement that can support heavy vehicles travelling at up to 100 km/h.”

The project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $8.18 million and the Gwydir Shire Council $2.05 million.