First Sod Turned on Muswellbrook Bypass

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell has announced today, works on the Muswellbrook Bypass have commenced. 

He was joined by Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway for the announcement this morning.  

The contract for the project's early works has been granted to local Aboriginal-run business Fenech Demolition, which Mr Layzell said is an exciting step forward for the community. 

"The best way to close the gap is to empower Aboriginal businesses to get work, and make sure that they can employ other Indigenous workers," Mr Layzell said. 

Early works for the project will include demolishing houses along the route, and moving utilities around to make way for the bypass. 

It's expected Transport of NSW will develop a shortlist of tenders for the next phase of the project by the middle of the year. 

Image: Transport for NSW

Funding Announced to Repair Hunter Roads

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Major new road funding has been announced for a number of areas in the Hunter. 

The Mayors of Singleton and Muswellbrook met with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway for the announcement this morning. 

$2.8 million has been allocated to fix the Allyn River Road in the Dungog Shire, and Victoria Street in Muswellbrook will be boosted by more than $700,000. 

Mr Farraway also announced $3 million will go towards repairing Hunter Road at Ellerston, and $1 million will be given to Singleton Council. 

"This is all about making sure we are repairing, not just filling-in potholes," he said. 

"We're doing heavy patching, and councils will have the support to repair those potholes and those roads that locals use every day, whether they be the roads to the shops, footy clubs or to school." 

New Hunter Rail Freight Link Confirmed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The corridor for a planned 30 kilometre rail freight link between Fassifern and Hexham has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

It's hoped the future link, known as the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, will alleviate the region's rail congestion, while also better connecting the Port of Newcastle with regional NSW. 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, said said the route was developed in collaboration with 570 community members. 

And, Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes, said he hopes the agreed-upon route will benefit both passengers and industry.

"It moves in a north-westerly direction at Fassifern and goes up behind Holmesville and through Minmi, then comes out at Hexham to join the line coming into Newcastle. Then, the line that goes west will eventually link to the inland rail that already links up to the northern line up to Brisbane," Mr Hawes said.  

Mr Hawes added he also hopes community feedback will continue to shape the plans for the link. 

"I have no doubt people out there will be concerned about the environmental impacts, but I'm hopeful that the process they will go through to get the approval before they construct will bear that in mind and mitigate those impacts." 

Hunter residents can now view the plan online, as the project moves towards final design stages and construction. 

The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

State Government Announces Funding To Fix Potholes On Regional Roads

 BY IAN CROUCH

The state government has announced a $50 million dollar fund to allow councils to fix potholes.

Regional Roads and Transport Minister Sam Farraway and Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman will visit Lovedale on Tuesday morning to announce the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round.

Councils across the Hunter have been struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing cost of repairing local roads in the wake of recent extreme weather.

Across the state, councils have so far fixed 135,000 potholes and the new funds will help to repair a further 420,000.

Hunter Councils have been coping with a huge backlog in pothole repairs due to recent flooding and bad weather. Picture Port Stephens Council.