INVERELL Shire and neighbouring councils cele-brated the announcement of $6.5 million in roads funding at yesterday's opening of the $4 million upgrade of Yetman Rd.
The State Government funding was announced by the NSW Minister for Roads Eric Roozendaal on his first visit to the region yesterday.
The funding includes $5 million to reconstruct the Gwydir Hwy at Gravesend, including widening of the highway and rehabilitation of black spots identified in a 2006 NRMA study which revealed the strip of highway through Inverell Shire needed funding.
Yesterday's funding announcement may appease NRMA Motoring and Services director Graham Blight, who, at the time, criticised the State Government's lack of attention to the vital east-west link road.
The money will pay for the reconstruction of 5.7km of the highway, improving safety at 10 highway intersections, reducing wear and tear on vehicles and a reduction in road noise levels.
The funding package will also be used to pay for the $750,000 improvements recently made to Dumboy Creek Bridge on the western side of Delungra and $800,000 to replace the guard fence and wire rope on a section of the Bruxner Hwy, west of Tenterfield.
The Dumby Creek Bridge upgrade will reduce the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rain and improve road safety in the area.
After the $6.5 million funding package announcement 30 residents gathered at Rocky Dam, south of Yetman to see the Minister officially open the newly sealed road between Inverell and Rocky Dam Rd.
The upgrade was made possible thanks to a partnership between Inverell Shire Council, which matched $2.4 million to a special grant of $2 million from the NSW Government.
Inverell Shire Council general manager Paul Henry said council identified the state-funded road as one which was in desperate need of upgrades.
He said council was willing to contribute funds to secure the upgrade and fix Inverell as a major service centre for western areas and communities such as Goondiwindi.
In the 2005- 2006 budget NSW councils have been given $186 million to help manage and maintain their roads.
More than $1.5 billion is being spent on the NSW rural and regional roads network in 2005-06, representing 62 per cent of the total roads capital and maintenance program budget.
© 2006 Inverell Times
<< Back