NSW Farmers welcomes the suite of funding announcements for vital infrastructure connecting regional NSW, including upgrades to the Newell Highway and other shovel-ready projects.
It comes as the NSW Government announced it will use a $60 million funding injection from the Federal Government to install 30 new overtaking lanes on the Newell Highway in NSW.
NSW Farmers President James Jackson said the infrastructure upgrades will make for safer and more efficient journeys through regional and rural NSW.
“The Newell Highway is an essential spine that runs through the heart of NSW and is a major thoroughfare for primary producers located in central NSW,” Mr Jackson said.
Earlier this year Minister Toole announced expanded access for grain and livestock transporters along the Newell. The ongoing focus on improving access and safety along the Newell could not have come at a better time for producers.
“Not only will it shave time off the border to border journey, it is projected to create around 130 local jobs.”
“Priority will be given to local suppliers and contractors as part of the Newell Highway Program Alliance.”
Mr Jackson said funding injections made west of the Great Dividing Range will aid the state’s overall recovery from COVID-19.
“Round 2 of the accelerated Fixing Local Roads program was also opened in early November. Under Round 1 of this program, $243.6 million of funding went towards 253 shovel-ready projects in 84 Local Government Areas in NSW.”
“Infrastructure was a priority area of the Federal Budget and we expect the same for NSW ahead of the State Budget, which will be handed down on 17 November,” Mr Jackson concluded.
