$4.2 million in State Government funds for Clarence Way upgrade

There were smiles all round following the announcement this morning that the State Government will provide $4.2 million so Council can seal the final 15km gravel section of the Clarence Way.

The funding, through the Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program, was announced by retiring Member for Lismore Thomas George and Nationals’  Candidate for the seat Austin Curtin.

The $4.2 million will be added to the $3.55 million already committed to the project by the Federal Government.

“The Clarence Way is one of Tabulam’s major link roads, connecting farming enterprises at Tabulam to markets in Queensland and south to Grafton. This funding will seal and stabilise the last section of dirt road, making it safer for the many freight and transport companies which drive on it, Mr George said.

“With five major agri-businesses operating around Tabulam, it’s vital that roads and services are maintained to allow their operations to grow.”

The sealing of the Clarence Way is part of Kyogle Council’s Tabulam Agriculture Precinct. This project aims to upgrade roads, bridges, water and sewerage at Tabulam, allowing the community to handle an increase in business activity and population into the future.

Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland described the $4.2 million funding injection as a “fantastic outcome for the community” after years of planning.

“Council could not have achieved this success without the community’s support in preparing a business case for the project,” she said.

“As I have said before, everyone wins when the State and Federal Governments work in hand in hand with Council on projects such as this that provide the community with real and lasting outcomes.

“It’s also good to see our rural communities getting the type of infrastructure that will help bring their standard of living up to those people living in more populated areas.”

Work on the road upgrade will start later this year.