Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Roads Minister visiting region with state & federal MPs
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said today he was looking forward to having Roads Minister Duncan Gay and his federal counterpart, Parkes MP Mark Coulton, in Moree and Warialda on Friday for some exciting roads and freight announcements.
“It’ll be great to have Duncan back again – it’s almost like putting the band back together – to talk about another couple of exciting initiatives that will benefit local producers and the freight industry,” Mr Marshall said.
“We all get along very well, professionally and personally, but it’s Mark and Duncan who forged a very strong partnership to deliver the second stage of the Moree bypass.
“Duncan’s five years as Roads Minister has seen massive investment in country roads and bridges and Moree has shared in that, but there’s still a lot more to do.”
Mr Marshall said that during Friday’s visit the Minister would be announcing funding for several key local freight pinch-points, which would allow Moree Plains Shire Council to open up more local roads for B-Triple truck access to key grain receival sites and cotton gins.
“This will help take more trucks off local roads but also increase freight efficiency, which will ultimately save dollars for producers and local businesses,” he said.
“It will also take some pressure off council, as the road authority, in its maintenance program and regulatory functions.
“We’ll also be talking about inland rail and the huge potential Moree has to be the home of an intermodal hub for rail freight, which would be a huge boon for the local economy.
“Mark and I will also be showing Duncan some priority areas for upgrade works along the Newell Highway where a strong partnership between the Commonwealth and state governments will again be crucial in delivering the project.”
The political trio will then travel to Warialda to meet with Gwydir Shire Council, inspect some major road upgrades underway and discuss a planned heavy vehicle bypass of Warialda, which is currently being considered for funding under the state government’s Fixing Country Roads program.