$4.4 Million to Improve Local Roads in Dungog

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The State Government has announced $4.4 million to improve local roads in the Dungog Shire, as part of the $500 million Fixing Local Roads Program. 

$1,650,00 will be designated to the rehabilitation of Paterson River Road, $1,275,000 for the rehabilitation of Salisbury Road and $1,567,500 for the rehabilitation of Summer Hill Road. 

Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen, says the funding for shovel-ready projects will drive jobs in regional NSW.

“This is about delivering small projects that can make a big difference for local communities – projects that will drive valuable jobs in our region over the next 12 months as councils get cracking on delivery,” Mr Johnsen said.

 "In Dungog it will mean smoother, safer trips along the roads our community use every day – roads like Paterson River Road and Salisbury Road. This the program will deliver $4,492,500 for three projects across Dungog Shire, greatly assisting our local Dungog economy."

“Projects will need to be delivered within two years of receiving funding, to ensure that local communities are benefiting sooner,” Mr Johnsen concluded.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was accelerating its funding for the program to get more projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads under way faster.

“We’re not just putting our foot down in terms of delivering this package – we’re turbocharging it to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities,” Mr Toole said.

Dungog Mayor, John Connors with Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen,
 for the Fixing Country Roads Announcement

State Labor Calls For More Funding For Bucketts Way

BY IAN CROUCH

The state opposition is accusing the Baird government of ignoring the Bucketts Way in the latest round of Fixing Country Roads funding.

The Bucketts Way stretches from 12 Mile Creek at Port Stephens through Gloucester to Taree and is an important arterial road for freight transport and tourism.

However, it's also notoriously dangerous and regarded by the NRMA has one of the worst roads in the state.

Already this year, the road has claimed 3 lives - 23-year-old Matthew Ratley from Cameron Park died on May 21 when his Holden Commodore hit a tree at Gloucester. 25-year-old Bryce Parry of Merewether was killed on June 19 when his car crashed off the road near Stroud. Just four days later, 53-year-old Frederick Turner of Killaware died when his utility hit a power pole at Gloucester.

Shadow Hunter Minister, Kate Washington is supporting calls from the Gloucester community to install 3 passing lanes on the Bucketts Way at a cost of just over $6 million - 2 at Limeburners Creek and 1 at Weismantels to improve safety.

She says the projects are shovel ready and both Mid Coast and Port Stephens Councils have offered a cash and in-kind component to the work.

"Both (councils) see the Bucketts Way upgrade as its priority and it's not being reflected in the state government or federal government for that matter as well. We don;t care where the money comes from, we just need to see the road upgraded so it improves safety for all users," she said.

However, federal member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie says the Turnbull government is already spending millions to upgrade the Bucketts Way on top of funding provided from the Roads to Recovery and Black Spot programs.

"I've got $17 million extra that was not out of any program. It's just sheer political will and campaigning over two elections to get that delivered onto the Bucketts Way and I'll continue to fight for any funds that I can secure in any shape or form," he said.

Port Stephens Mp, Kate Washington

Federal Lyne Mp, Dr David Gillespie