program. ▪ Photo contributed
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government have pledged to invest more than $7.6 million to upgrade critical freight routes in the Far West, including The Wool Track, through the latest round of the Fixing Country Roads program.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway was joined by Cobar Shire Council staff and councillors along with residents who live along The Wool Track on Saturday when he announced funding for an additional 40km of The Wool Track to be sealed.
Mr Farraway said it brings this year’s total investment into Far West roads to $93 million.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is improving the roads you use every day to keep our state moving forward,” he said.
“Far West communities and our freight industry rely heavily on their roads which have taken a battering during the recent floods.
“We’re investing the funding now so councils can start the job of repairing roads and building them to be more resilient.
“Last week we announced 14 roads under our latest round of the Fixing Local Roads program, including Nevertire Bogan Road and the week before we delivered funding to every council in the Far West to help fill potholes and carry out heavy patching work.
“Better roads allows us to move freight faster and more efficiently, reducing the cost of getting goods to market, keeping prices low and keeping NSW moving forward.
“A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will also invest a further $300 million to tackle freight pinch points on our road and rail network to keep our economy strong and help secure a brighter future for the state,” Mr Farraway said.
Cobar Mayor Peter Abbott welcomed the announcement of $6.49 million in funding for The Wool Track Seal Extension as part of the Fixing Country Roads Program.
“Once completed this project will provide producers over 110 kilometres of sealed access along The Wool Track,” Mr Abbott said.
“The project will allow produce to be carried along sections of road that currently prove to be inaccessible in wet and dry corrugated conditions.
“The project will create increased productivity due to greater accessibility, with travel times for heavier vehicles estimated to be reduced by 40 minutes once the project is complete.”
