The New Year brings new priorities and Retreat Road near Uralla has been earmarked by the Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce as one of the key areas in need.

Progress was made last year with the announcement of $3.6 million in combined Australian and NSW government funding for 7km of sealing works along the route.

In October, Mr Joyce announced a further $1.095 million to replace Retreat Bridge over the MacDonald River which formed part of a $9 million investment in infrastructure projects across the Tamworth region under the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

“It’s a good start and the improvements delivered in partnership with local council will help strengthen the road network in the Retreat area, especially for the many primary producers who use this road regularly,” Mr Joyce said.

“The community has called for upgrades so I’m going into bat to improve the standard of this road and will continue to push for more in all corners of the New England because better roads mean a better standard of living for local people.”

Connecting routes such as Watsons Creek Road and Tilmunda Road are also receiving attention with almost $200,000 in upgrades delivered for these two roads alone under the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. 

Elsewhere work is continuing on major infrastructure right across the Tamworth region supported by Australian Government funding including the $9.5 million upgrade of the Oxley Highway intersection near Tamworth Regional Airport and the government’s $2 million contribution to the Tamworth Rail Intermodal Activation Plan in Taminda. 

(ENDS)