A traffic bottleneck in Armidale and an alternate route for heavy vehicles in Tamworth are among 10 priority projects identified by Regional Cities NSW as part of a pre-state budget pitch, aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of the freight network across New South Wales.
Armidale’s bottleneck woes
Lambs Avenue, O’Connor Road, Dangar Street, Railway Parade and Kentucky Street are near the heart of Armidale on either side of the railway line.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor, Cr Sam Coupland says addressing the congestion in this location would have benefits for both Armidale and the state.
“Many people in Armidale and those who travel here regularly may have experience with the issues along these roads,” Cr Coupland said.
“Resolving these bottlenecks will get freight moving so it can reach its destination sooner, which can boost the competitiveness of our local businesses and industries,”
“It also helps to improve safety for all road users and strengthen the connections between the regions and our regional cities.”
Tamworth’s loaded roads
Tamworth Regional Council adopted the Tamworth Integrated Transport Plan last year, which proposes a future Western Freight Link for trucks and other large vehicles. The link would improve road freight efficiencies on Tamworth’s south-western outskirts by joining the New England Highway at Burgmanns Lane and the Oxley Highway at Country Road.
RCNSW Deputy Chair and Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb says upgrading the heavy vehicle route would have benefits for both Tamworth and the state.
“Many people in Tamworth and those who travel here regularly may have experience with the issues along the route,” Cr Webb said.
“Resolving these bottlenecks will get freight moving so it can reach its destination sooner, which can boost the competitiveness of our local businesses and industries and those in the wider North West.”
“It also helps to improve safety for all road users and strengthen the connections between the regions and our regional cities.”
Both projects are among 93 areas of interest across the state’s freight network identified in a new business case commissioned by Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) as responsible for $80 million in lost efficiencies each year.
RCNSW chair Cr Steve Krieg says the Regional Transport Pinch Point Program report found the network’s connectivity and efficiency would be improved with a $346 million investment in 10 priority projects.
“This is the first time Regional Cities NSW have collaborated on a project like this. It’s an important issue and we wanted to take a detailed look across the state and see the areas that need upgrades,” Cr Krieg said.
“Everyone who lives in regional NSW can see how many trucks, b-doubles and road trains are on our roads now.”
“Our freight task is growing daily, and action is needed to make sure this growth is safe and efficient for our shared communities and industries.”
The benefits of this approach have been confirmed by an independent panel examining freight policy reform on behalf of Transport for NSW. The Transport for NSW’s Freight Policy Reform: Interim Directions Paper called on the government to review RCNSW’s work as a basis for encouraging a “One Network” approach.
The paper further noted that “unlike other levels of government, local government has no direct mechanisms to raise funds for road construction and maintenance. This is an issue where heavy vehicles are regular or frequent users of these local roads.”
According to Transport for New South Wales, freight is worth nearly $66 billion to the state’s economy annually, while Infrastructure Australia has forecast the volume of goods transported by road and rail will increase by 80 per cent over 20 years to 2031.
The 10 priority projects identified in the Regional Transport Pinch Point Program report are:
● Armidale: Lambs Avenue / O’Connor Road / Dangar Street / Railway Parade / Kentucky Street (congestion)
● Dubbo: Boothenba Road / Newell Highway (safety)
● Dubbo: Wheelers Lane (accessibility)
● Dubbo: Boothenba Road (congestion)
● Goulburn/Marulan: Hume Highway (congestion)
● Goulburn: Windellama Road (connection issues from the Hume Highway)
● Lismore: Union Street (accessibility)
● South Gundurimba: Coraki Road to Wyrallah Ferry Road (accessibility)
● Tamworth: Country Road and Burgmanns Lane (alt. heavy vehicle route)
● Tuncester: Kyogle Road to Rosehill Road and Rifle Range Road (accessibility)
“This report identifies the location of problem areas in the freight network and quantifies the cost involved to get them fixed,” Cr Krieg said.
“RCNSW has put the business case to the NSW Government as one of our priorities for the 2025 budget with an initial request of $346 million.”
RCNSW will continue to advocate for this investment in the lead up to the June 2025 State Budget.
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