Start of Tamworth’s $40 million Goonoo Goonoo Road Project
Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said today’s commencement of early works on the upgrading of Goonoo Goonoo Road on Tamworth’s southern entrance is the culmination of many years of hard work to secure the funds for this important road safety upgrade on one of the city’s busiest roads used by around 20,000 motorists each day.
“In December 2021, I was delighted to announce the former Federal Coalition Government’s contribution of $32 million to this major project in my then capacity as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. I am greatly relieved that after several months of lobbying the current Federal Government, which included my representations and a Question in Writing to the Minister, that the Federal money is still on the table for this much needed upgrade,” Mr Joyce said.
“This project will vastly improve safety along Tamworth’s southern entrance, as well as access to the city’s entertainment, sporting and equestrian precinct, and will provide a much more attractive entrance to Tamworth,” he said.
“As I highlighted in 2021, as you drive into Tamworth, you see it’s not only on a good road, you see the other things we've invested in, such as the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence and the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre. These are the sort of things that say to people you're coming to a major regional city for Australia and a growing and prosperous area. This upgrade further announces that as people drive in,” Mr Joyce said.
Mr Joyce congratulated Nationals Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, for securing the NSW Government’s $8M contribution towards the project.
“I know that Kevin has worked incredibly hard to secure the State’s contribution to the Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade and this is another example of his tireless commitment to representing the needs and concerns of the people of the Tamworth Electorate in the NSW Parliament,” Mr Joyce said. I also thank the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, for the State Government’s contribution.
“I commend Tamworth Regional Council and Mayor Russell Webb upon Council’s commitment to this important upgrade which will provide enormous safety, economic, development, social and other benefits in our region, and I also thank the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Catherine King, for retaining the Commonwealth funds committed by the Coalition to this project.”
The early works commencing in March will see a new shared footpath constructed on the western side of Goonoo Goonoo Road with major works expected to start in 2024 and the project due for completion in early 2027.