SENATOR THE HON JENNY MCALLISTER
MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
MINISTER FOR CITIES
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES
THE HON PAUL SCULLY MP
MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND PUBLIC SPACES
THE HON JENNY AITCHISON MP
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS
MEDIA RELEASE - MAKING THE GWYDIR HIGHWAY MORE RESISTANT TO DISASTERS
Safety improvements to the Gwydir Highway are now underway following approval of more than $10 million in funding from the Albanese and Minns Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package works will improve slope stability, making the road less vulnerable to slope failures, scour, water inundation and pavement damage on a section of the highway with a long history of landslips.
One kilometre of roadside concrete kerb drain will be installed, and other drainage improvement works carried out to redirect water safely away from unstable areas.
Investment in the betterment of the Gwydir Highway means communities can stay connected, freight routes can continue operating, and emergency services can respond swiftly during increasingly severe weather events.
The site is approximately 75 kilometres from Glen Innes and 87 kilometres from Grafton.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:
“The Albanese and Minns Governments’ are supporting local communities in their recovery from natural disasters, and helping them prepare for future events.
“Together, we're rebuilding important community infrastructure to a more resilient standard so it can withstand increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:
“There is a transformation going on right across the state to build resilience against future disasters into the road network.
“This is a significant undertaking by the NSW Government which will help make the community safer.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:
“This is one of the betterment projects to be funded through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package, a program to ‘build back better’ after a natural disaster to make our roads more resilient against future events.
“This betterment package means roads and other transport assets will be able to stay open longer during a disaster or open again sooner after the disaster has passed, allowing vital food, medical supplies and other essentials to be moved and hastening recovery for local communities.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Labor’s Northern Tablelands spokesperson Peter Primrose:
“We know how important it is to keep communities connected during disasters and that it’s vital to keep food, medical supplies and other essentials moving.
“This work will mean this important link between the Tablelands and the coast will be in a better position to keep those people and goods moving.
“I’m delighted it has received government support.”
