Gilgandra Shire Council has celebrated the start of works to seal National Park Road in the state’s Orana region.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison and MP Roy Butler joined with Gilgandra Shire Council, Mayor Doug Batten, to turn the first sod to mark the start of works (pictured).
National Park Road is a crucial regional route providing essential access to the north of the Gilgandra shire. Located in a major grain producing area, it also supports multiple school bus routes and serves as an alternative route for visitors to the Warrumbungle National Park.
“I’m so pleased to visit Gilgandra to see the start of work on this important upgrade, which will greatly improve local travel and transport links,” said Minister Aitchison.
“The NSW Labor Government is proud to be investing in regional road upgrades like this that help improve access to education, employment, economic and tourism opportunities.”
National Park Road upgrades will see the sealing of 12.5 kilometres of unsealed sections of the road, enhancing its resilience against future weather events and improving travel conditions. Works will also include formation widening with the addition of pavement and seal.
The total cost of the project is $4,878,344, with the NSW Government providing $3 million through the Fixing Local Roads Program, the Australian Government contributing $878,444 through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and $999,900 in Council funding.
Mayor Batten says the sealing of unsealed sections of National Park Road will provide opportunities for regional development and tourism, as well as supporting local rural families through regional connectivity and sustainability of the road network.
“National Park Road provides vital access to Curban, Armatree, Gilgandra and Gulargambone silos. This project is essential in supporting the local agricultural industry in grain distribution by providing a safe and reliable route,” Mayor Batten said.
“Families in the Curban and Tooraweenah area along this road will have improved access to health and education facilities through reduced travel times and all-weather access, leading to greater livability for this region.
“At present motorists have no alternate routes to these centres when the road is closed due to inclement weather.
“Upgrades to the road network allow small rural communities to grow and thrive, in a time where grasping employment and alternative business opportunities is key,” he said.
