20 June 2016

 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said a re-elected Coalition Government will inject a further $20 million into the Scone Bypass project, enabling the town to lock in a better option.

Mr Joyce was joined by NSW Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay in Scone who also committed an extra $10 million to help fast track the design and construction of the bypass.

Mr Joyce said the extra $30 million towards the bypass would enable construction to commence on the Scone Bypass in 2018 – a great result for the people and businesses of the New England.

“Both governments had previously committed $45 million each to an outer bypass of Scone; however original plans have now been improved based on community feedback,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Gay said after exhaustive community consultation, NSW Roads and Maritime Services had developed a more advanced option with an increased price tag at $120 million.

“Barnaby said he could fund an extra $20 million from the Australian Roads Black Spot Programme if I could find another $10 million, which I was happy to provide,” Mr Gay said.

Mr Joyce said he was always working hard on plans for transport and water infrastructure – and the New England Highway has a growing reputation as a corridor of commerce.

“I am pleased that I can go into bat for my newest constituents in the New England Electorate and to ensure I can lobby for the funding that will not only give Scone an important piece of road infrastructure, but provide benefit to the whole region,” he said.

 “This campaign has been about putting in place funding that can grow our economic future.

“We have yet to see any campaign promises from the ALP and the other candidates for the New England seat,” Mr Joyce said.

“This goes to show you the delivery that is actually happening and how successfully we are working with our Coalition colleagues in NSW such as Duncan and Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen.”

 

Caption: Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen, the Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce and Minister for Roads and Freight, Duncan Gay.

 

 

Facts about the Scone Bypass

The bypass is located to the west of the town of Scone and includes approximately four kilometres of new two lane highway.

The speed limit along the Scone Bypass will be 100 kilometres per hour, consistent with the New England Highway to the north and south of town.

There will be three access points between the Bypass and Scone township – to the north and south where the existing highway will intersect with the Bypass and also midway at St Aubins Street.

As a result of community feedback in response to the display of the concept design and Review of Environmental Factors that commenced in December 2015, improvements have been made so all accesses will provide for all turning movements (i.e. all left and right turns will be available).

The southern intersection of the existing highway with the Bypass has been modified to provide an underpass for vehicles from the south to access Scone, and to allow vehicles to access the Bypass northbound, without needing to turn across southbound Bypass traffic.

The Bypass will pass over the Great Northern Railway to the south of Scone.

The Bypass includes an over-bridge about 540 metres long commencing on the southern side of Parsons Gully and extending over Kingdon and Liverpool Streets.

Detailed design for the Bypass is presently underway. The May 2016 Commonwealth budget included $10 million in 2016-17 to complete the design and purchase required land.

Tenders for construction will be invited by June 2017, with major construction to commence in 2018.

Three options for a town centre rail bridge were also displayed by RMS in December 2015.  The preferred option for the bridge has not yet been selected. Council recently identified another option that would help service the industrial area and abattoir.