The long awaited announcement has been made that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest almost $8 million to build a new bridge at Graddle Creek on The McGrane Way through the latest round of the Fixing Country Roads Program.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the new bridge will improve safety and ensure the community and truckies have better access during times of extreme wet weather events.

“This will ensure local freight operators and farmers in the region can get our region’s great produce to international and domestic markets sooner and more safely, which will keep our state moving forward,” said Sam Farraway.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM said the community is very excited and very grateful for the near $8 million that has been allocated for a new bridge at Graddle Creek and realignment works on The McGrane Way through the Fixing Country Roads Program. 

“This road is a vital route for transporters connecting the west to Narromine and Dubbo, producers to grain silos, saleyards and mining operations,” Ken said. 

“The new bridge will be more resilient, replacing a narrow causeway that is subject to frequent flash flooding which has posed a serious safety risk for the community.

“This project will deliver safer and more reliable journeys for all road users across the region, helping to keep moving the more than 800,000 tonnes of freight transported each year along The McGrane Way.”

Member of the MR354 Committee and local farmer Fiona Aveyard thanked the NSW Government and said the investment was a big win for the community.

“We are grateful to the NSW Government for this investment of close to $8 million,” Fiona said.

“This investment will keep freight moving, get families home safe and will keep Tullamore, Parkes and regional NSW moving forward.”

We caught up with the very passionate President of The McGrane Way Committee, Gary Langley who explained that The McGrane Way is the main access road from Narromine to Tullamore, and links up with other shires including Hillston and Condobolin.

There has been an increase in traffic on The McGrane Way since the road was sealed, as provides access to Dubbo, Newcastle and Brisbane. 

“People are coming through with caravans, and the corner is so sharp that we lost about nine or ten hay trucks during the drought, they turned over,” said Gary.

Gary went on to praise Minister for Regional Transport Sam Farrawy MP: “Sam Farraway has been excellent, even before he was minister. We met up with him in Tullamore, four to five years ago to lobby him, and he secured us an audience with Deputy Premier and leader of the Nationals, Paul Toole”. 

Gary explained how this upgrade will help those who travel The McGrane Way. “Once this project is finished it’s not going to matter how much rain we get because it is going to be out of the flood zone, the bridge will be up high and people will not be cut off anymore after a shower of rain.”

Sam Farraway spoke after his announcement and said of the plagued McGrane Way: “Unfortunately we saw a tragic death here only a few months ago, and it just reminds us that if it’s flooded, forget it!” 

“In 2022 this road was closed for over 150 days, we need to make sure this infrastructure is upgraded for tomorrow not just today.” said Sam Farraway.

More than 50,000 regional apprentices and trainees can now apply for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative would help ease budget pressures for apprentices, trainees and university students in the bush.

“We know that young people in our regions are faced with greater travel costs than those in the city, often having to travel long distances to work or training,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“This card will reduce travel costs by providing a $250 boost to the budgets of young apprentices and trainees in the bush, covering the cost of fuel, taxis and public transport.

“Slashing travel costs will make a real difference to young people in the bush who clock up the miles travelling to work or to university.

“This $250 hip pocket bonus for regional apprentices and trainees is only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Successful applicants will receive a $250 prepaid debit card within weeks. 

Around 51,000 regional apprentices and trainees, aged between 16 and 66, can start taking up this offer right now by applying through Service NSW and save $250 on fuel, taxis and public transport to help with the cost of traveling to work or study.

Applications for university students will open from the end of April when enrolments are confirmed. Apprentices and trainees have until 30 November to apply for the 2023 card. 

The initiative will run as a two-year trial until the end of 2024. 

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will commit to a further $90 million to the Stronger Country Communities Fund to continue building the projects that make regional NSW the best place to live, work and raise a family.

In the past five years, the Stronger Country Communities Fund has delivered more than 2,500 grassroots projects.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the further $90 million commitment would take the total investment in the fund to three quarters of a billion dollars.

“Everywhere I go, people tell me about the big difference these Stronger Country Communities projects make to everyday life – whether it’s a new skate park that kids love, a new community hall, upgrades to the main street or programs that make living in the regions even better,” Mr Toole said.

“We aren’t just building playgrounds and sporting ovals, we’re building communities to be proud of.

“Not only do these projects improve life for those who already call regional NSW home, but they also act as a major drawcard for those visiting to consider staying longer term.”

For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $1 billion in the regions to upgrade the roads communities use every day, fast-track freight and rebuild transport infrastructure after disaster.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the landmark commitment would improve the resilience of the road and rail network right across NSW, benefitting the regions.

“We’ve heard loud and clear that there’s more to do which is why we’ll inject an extra $400 million into the Fixing Local Roads program so we can help councils turbocharge their efforts on road maintenance.

“We’ll also invest a further $600 million in the road and rail network through a new Fast Tracking Freight program and a Build Back Better program.

“As anyone in the bush knows, we can’t keep replacing these roads and rail lines and expecting something different the next time a disaster rolls through – we have to put in the money now to keep our State moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent floods, forward thinking was needed to strengthen the state’s supply chain.

“Betterment isn’t a last minute thought bubble or cash splash. This has been a 12-month journey since I signed the firstco funded betterment pilot in the country torebuild infrastructure in the northern NSWpost floods,” Mr Farraway said.