A multi-million dollar grant has been allocated to seal one of the region's crucial thoroughfare.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said that $8.5 million will allow for the upgrade and sealing of 13.5 kilometres of Clifton Road.
Carroll Cotton Gin’s, Scott Davies said the upgrade to the road would be an important boost for his proposal to build a new gin worth $20 million.
“Once completed and we see the resumption of normal cotton crops, the Gin could generate cotton products worth up to $150 million a year. In seven years that’s $1 billion to the region,” he said.
A long-time campaigner for the road’s upgrade, Margaret Vincent is delighted with the news and said it would have a positive impact on the businesses in the local area.
“Along Clifton Road, we have a feedlot, two trucking companies and a crop-spraying business as well as many, many truck movements when the season allows a good cotton crop to be grown,” she said.
“We’ve had some great rain in recent weeks that is allowing farmers to plant early crops and the latest rain will promote the planting of large areas of winter crops, so we’re hoping for some good harvests.”
Mr Anderson said many local families and farming businesses who use that road will be delighted with the news that it will be finally be sealed.
“Not only are we upgrading and sealing the gravel sections of this road, but this project will also be replacing a bridge over the Mooki River at Breeza and a new culvert will be constructed where Clifton Road crosses the Werris Creek," he said.
“This is fantastic news for Breeza, Carroll and the surrounding farms. It will provide a safer and more efficient way to conduct their business and deliver their crops.
“It’s so important that as we invest in our region we use that money to create jobs. Especially in these unprecedented times with the impact of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, which has come straight on the back of fires and the devastating drought.”
Gunnedah Shire Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Jeremy Bartlett said the project would be constructed by council staff and local contractors to provide gravel, bitumen and haulage.
“The design and construction of the bridge over the Mooki near Breeza will go to tender for the design and construction, but the rest of the project will be aimed at providing local jobs,” he said.
Mr Bartlett said work was expected to begin on the Clifton Road project in January 2021 and be completed by December 2021.
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