PROGRESS on the Mt Lindesay Rd has been hailed ‘outstanding’ by visiting NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay.
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Mr Gay was joined by Member for Lismore Thomas George to officially open the renewed 11.3 kilometre section of the Mount Lindesay Rd between Legume and Woodenbong.
They were joined by Tenterfield Shire Council and representatives from Roads and Maritime Services, Kyogle Council and Richmond Valley Council.
Road-users, who had long campaigned to see progress along the deadly stretch, joined the dignitaries to mark the occasion.
The NSW Government has so far committed $2.88 million to the $4 million project, with funds from the Federal Government continuing to be conspicuously absent despite promises from new deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Gay said he’ll continue a dialog with Mr Joyce to obtain more funding.
“I’m not going to have trouble having a dialog with Barnaby. I love Barnaby because he’s an upfront sort of bloke,” the minister said.
“He (Mr Joyce) has been pushing this road big behind the scenes like you wouldn’t believe. He’s a great advocate for it.
The Member for New England’s appointment to the deputy prime ministership could be a game changer Mr Gay said.
“He is now in a better position, but doesn’t mean the money is automatically there. It’ll make it easier for him but money and budgets are all pre-allocated – we’ve got to work to getting to next week,” Mr Gay said.
He lauded Tenterfield council for their ongoing commitment to the project.
“This is a good council,” he said.
“I need to help council and we’re working. Some are harder to work with than others and less efficient but this one is one of the better ones which makes it easier.
“The amount of road works they did with the money invested is quite outstanding,” Mr Gay said.
Member for Lismore Thomas George said this investment provided a wonderful opportunity to partner with Tenterfield Shire Council to deliver much needed upgrades to Mount Lindesay Road.
"Local motorists are already reaping in the benefits of having wider and stronger road sections, which include new line markings to help better separate lanes of traffic.
"The upgrade is already delivering local benefits - we know there has been an increase in the number of visitors to the area and boosting the local economy," Mr George said.
Tenterfield Shire Council has contributed $1.35 million to the project to date.
To fully address the requirements highlighted in a 2014 Road Safety Audit, the road needs a further $23.5 million to be brought up to scratch.