Funding in the 2022-23 Budget is flowing to New England, with $16 million for upgrades to local roads that will make our region safer, wealthier and stronger.
The Nationals and Liberal Government will inject $8 million into planning for improvement works on the Gwydir Highway between Moree and Grafton.
Further south, $8 million will assist with planning for the New England Highway duplication between Muswellbrook to Singleton.
Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said these investments would make New England stronger, creating jobs and better roads for tourists, locals and freight.
“The plan to make New England as strong as possible as quickly as possible continues with further investment in planning for the New England Highway duplication between Muswellbrook and Singleton as well as improvements along the Gwydir Highway,” Mr Joyce said.
“These routes run north to south and east to west in our electorate. Duplicating the New England Highway maintains it as the authentic alternative north to south route between Brisbane and Sydney, bringing in the tourists and taking out the products.
“There is more to come and we will continue to fight for greater funding.
“The start of duplication between Singleton and Muswellbrook, though not in our electorate, is fundamental to strengthening the Hunter Valley Expressway to Muswellbrook, making a vast difference on the safety and speed of the trip to Newcastle or Sydney.
“Our investment in the Warbird Museum at Scone shows how a good road can bring tourists from far away into our electorate.
“When we combine attractions with roads, we increase the traffic to the destinations such as Warbirds at Scone and the Country Music Festival in Tamworth.”
Funding for these projects will be split on an 80:20 basis with the New South Wales Government.
Gwydir Highway Improvements – Planning ($8 million)
This planning project will scope upgrades to the Gwydir Highway between Moree and Grafton.
Upgrades are likely to include passing opportunities over the Great Dividing Range and improve road safety through the provision of safety barriers, intersection improvements and road widening.
Authorised by the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Tamworth.
Once delivered the upgrades will reduce travel times and improve road safety along Gwydir Highway for all road users.
New England Highway duplication between Muswellbrook to Singleton – Planning ($8 million)
This planning project will scope and develop works for a duplication of the New England Highway between Muswellbrook and Singleton. This project will improve network efficiency on the New England Highway.