NSW Government heavyweights visit Parkes on the Newell Highway and trumpet a $3.7 billion regional roads spend
Senior New South Wales Government figures have visited Parkes on the Newell Highway, which they describe as a “centrepiece” of a multi-billion dollar road spending program.
Deputy premier Troy Grant and roads minister Duncan Gay visited the central-western NSW town which is a little less than halfway along the main trucking route between Melbourne and Brisbane, and will be bypassed.
They say Parkes will be a centrepiece of the $3.7 billion commitment for regional roads as part of the Rebuilding NSW infrastructure plan.
“We have put communities across regional NSW in the driving seat of our government, investing in the areas that need it most,” Grant says.
“They have told us the key to ensuring growth is building and upgrading country roads, so $2 billion will go towards the Regional Road Freight Corridor Program for upgrades on the Newell, Golden, New England and Great Western Highways.
“Over $500 million is earmarked for the Newell for additional overtaking lanes, upgrades between Narrabri and Moree, Mungleback Creek to Boggabilla, widening between Coonabaran and Narrabri, bypasses for Parkes and Coonabarabran and other works.”
Gay says improving productivity in regional economies, especially in the agricultural and resources sectors, will improve job security.
“This is about planning for the future with the amount of freight travelling in NSW almost set to double by 2031,” Gay says.
“I’m thrilled we’re also expanding the highly successful Fixing Country Roads and Bridges for the Bush programs with another $700 million boost which will see far reaching benefits across our great state.”