Mick Savage from Roads and Transport Directorate Manager from IPWEA NSW addressed the meeting on progressing the Newell Highway Flood Study that was recently completed by Professor Peter Brain. 

Mr Savage highlighted the importance of getting additional funding for the hydrology study to pursue the work already undertaken by Roads and Maritime Service (RMS).

Chair Cr Ken Keith OAM said “meetings are being arranged with both State and Federal Ministers to reinforce the importance and need further funding to pursue the recommendations of the study.” 

Cr Keith also outlined the major upgrades that have taken place since 2011 to improve safety and efficiency along the Newell Highway.

“Since 2011, eighteen overtaking lanes have been completed on the Newell Highway at a total cost of $40.3 million.  Another ten overtaking lanes are planned with completion expected in 2018/19 taking the total number of overtaking lanes to 28, providing a significant positive impact for road users.” Said Cr Keith. 

Current projects nearing completion include the realignments at both Grong Grong and Trewilga where the speed limit will become 110 km/ hour upon completion.

A $90 million project south of Boggabilla will also commence next year where 28km of the Newell Highway will be upgraded.

The NSW Government’s Future Transport 2056 draft document was also tabled and discussed at the meeting. The omission of a future Bells Line road upgrade from the report has significant ramifications for the Newell Highway network, particularly the Central West, for connectivity to the Sydney region.  Discussion also highlighted that the report overlooked the Newell Highway as an important tourism link and that this should in fact be acknowledged in the document.