With the opening of the intermodal at Tamworth Global Gateway Park next year, Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has expressed his desire to continue driving road investment in the region, better connecting the produce to the rail line and on to the global market.
Mr Anderson said the intermodal rail line presents a real opportunity for councils right across the region to further tap into regional road investment.
“Already, since the design, construction and operation contracts were awarded to Qube Logistics in 2018, the NSW Government has invested over $213 million in roads and rail in the Tamworth Electorate,” he said.
“This includes major projects like the $62 million Gunnedah overpass and the $35 million West Tamworth rail-line reactivation and also includes funding to seal major regional roads like Grain Valley Way, Rangari Road, Clifton Road, Boundary Road, Werris Creek Road and Kelvin Road.
“Also included are the construction or replacement of key bridges across the electorate like the $7 million Namoi River Crossing or smaller bridges like Fishers Bridge, Orange Grove Road Bridge and Warrabah Bridge.”
Mr Anderson said the significant investment in transport for the region is part of the big picture economic vision for the New England North West and local councils are buying into that future.
“We are primarily producers in our part of the world – whether that be in agriculture or manufacturing, we provide the goods that service national and global markets and it is important that we have the infrastructure required to grow local industry,” he said.
“That is why the intermodal freight line is key to driving investment in our region, both public and private. As we begin to see the project move towards completion, local government will have the opportunity to further tap into state funding to continue to improve our road network, making it easier for freight operators to access our produce.
“I look forward to working with council’s right across our region to take advantage of funding opportunities as we solidify ourselves as a leading producer in the state.”
