Repair and upgrade works are now beginning on a 22-kilometre stretch of Clarence Way in NSW’s Northern Rivers region, following damage from recent floods.
As the only road connecting north to south in this area, Clarence Way provides a vital link between Woodenbong and Grafton.
A $27 million program of works is being funded by the Australian and NSW governments, together with the Kyogle Council.
“All three levels of Government have been working really hard behind the scenes to get this, and many other Northern Rivers projects to the point where they’re ready to start physical works, so it’s very exciting to see it hit this milestone,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt.
“When we make key roads like this one better able to withstand severe weather conditions, we improve evacuation and recovery efforts for communities right across the region.”
Funding includes:
- A $10 million grant from the joint Federal-State Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package to ensure the road is rebuilt stronger and better able to withstand future weather events.
- A further $9.09 million (jointly-funded) to fix damage from recent floods.
- A $4 million election funding commitment from the NSW Government.
- $4.26 million from Kyogle Council.
Kyogle Council will lead the rebuild of the road, which is severely potholed with many other pavement failures along the 22-kilometre stretch, as well as sections south of Sandilands and between Bonalbo and Urbenville.
NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Jenny Aitchison, says the funding will not only repair the damage caused by the natural disaster but ensure the road is more reliable in the future. She added: “We know for every $1 spent on resilience, we save $10 in disasters.”