Gwydir Shire Council’s Director Technical Services Richard Jane, left, General Manager Max Eastcott, Federal Parkes MP Mark Coulton, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay and NSW Roads and Maritime Services’ David Patterson inspect one of the new and enlarged culverts as part of the $1.1 million Fossickers Way upgrade project.
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
GWYDIR Shire Council has won high praise from NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay for its work on a major upgrade of the Fossickers Way, between Bingara and Warialda, during his visit to the region recently.
The $1.1 million project, which council is undertaking on behalf of the State Government, involves the replacement of a 1.6 kilometre section of Fossickers Way around 20 kilometres south of Warialda.
“Gwydir Shire is doing a great job on the project and is on track to complete the work on budget and on time,” Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said.
“The Minister was very impressed with the quality of the work so far, with council delivering a better quality and wider road surface which will improve safety on this busy stretch of Fossickers Way.”
The Minister was accompanied on the inspection by Mr Marshall, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and council and NSW Roads and Maritime Services representatives.
“The work includes shoulder widening and a new pavement overlay to improve the strength and longevity of the road and widening an existing culvert on the road,” Mr Marshall said.
“I’m very pleased to see this section of Fossickers Way upgraded and will continue to lobby for further funds to be spent improving this important route in the region,” he said.
“Fossickers Way is a well-used road with many heavy vehicles carrying primary produce from our region to market.”
Mr Marshall said Gwydir Shire was developing a very good reputation for the successful delivery of road projects in the region.
“Last year council did a tremendous job on the $2.6 million upgrade of a 3.3 kilometre section of Fossickers Way between Bingara and the Delungra Road turnoff,” he said.
“The Minister now recognises this reputation as well, which should stand council in good stead for future funding, like the heavy vehicle bypass of Warialda.
“It’s been a very busy time for council with almost $6 million allocated in this year’s state budget for road and bridge works in the Gwydir Shire,” he said.
The projects and allocations include:
• $1.74 million to Gwydir Shire Council for road maintenance across the shire;
• $1.5 million to upgrade the Gwydir River Bridge at Bingara;
• $1.1 million to upgrade Fossickers Way between Bingara and the Gwydir Highway;
• $800,000 to upgrade Halls Creek Bridge north of Bingara; and
• $800,000 to upgrade Cobbadah Creek Bridge on Fossickers Way.
“This is a huge spend in the Shire and I know council will continue to deliver excellent value to its community by utilising these funds to improve critical local infrastructure.”
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