Photo caption: Transport for NSW Acting Director West Paul Polansky, Moree Plains Shire Council Deputy Mayor Susannah Pearse and Mayor Mark Johnson, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, NSW Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway and Narrabri Shire Council Mayor Ron Campbell announced the successful tenderer for the Newell Highway upgrade between Narrabri and Moree.

2022 election campaign in full swing

With Australia to head to the polls on Saturday 21 May, the 2022 Federal election campaign is now in full swing.

It has been a privilege serving the people of the Parkes electorate for the past 14 years and I’m hoping to be able continue to represent this wonderful part of the country as your local member.

The Parkes electorate is in a really good position at the moment – unemployment levels are at record lows, our agricultural, mining and construction industries remain strong, and our rivers and waterways are full. Progress on the Inland Rail is steaming ahead, bringing endless opportunities for communities right along the route, while the Western Cancer Centre is now a reality and more doctors are training locally.

However, there’s still more to be done, and I believe I have the experience to deal with the challenges we face, while seeing through some of the exciting developments coming through in the resources sector. With resources like cobalt and lithium on our doorstop, we are well placed to be the centre for resourcing the new world economy when it comes to renewable technology, and I look forward to seeing these industries develop.

Over the last 14 years I’ve fought hard to ensure the bush is not left behind, and I plan to continue fighting for our regional areas, making sure we have high quality health services, internet coverage and the infrastructure in place to enable our communities to grow and prosper.

The outlook for the Parkes electorate is incredibly bright, and with your support, we can keep getting it done.

Contract awarded for largest ever Newell Highway upgrade

It was great to be in Moree last week with my NSW colleagues, Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, to announce that Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to deliver the largest ever heavy-duty pavement upgrade of the Newell Highway, between Moree and Narrabri.

The $261.17 million project will involve 27.3 kilometres of heavy-duty pavement upgrades along four priority sections of the road, with construction due to start mid-2022.

This section of the Newell Highway is located within one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia, so it’s critical that this road is up to scratch to ensure our farmers can more efficiently get their product to market, while improving safety and efficiency for all road users.

The upgrade will also help the region better connect to the Inland Rail, while providing employment for more than 100 locals, bringing significant benefits to the Moree and Narrabri communities.

I’m proud that the Australian Government has invested $205.7 million into this project, with the NSW Government contributing the remainder.

Funding priority projects for our local councils

The Coalition Government is continuing to back our local councils, with funding rolling out for the third phase of the successful Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

Projects have been approved for three more councils in the Parkes electorate, worth $1,819,380 million for Narromine Shire Council, $2,014,440 million for Gunnedah Shire Council and $4,292,996 million for Dubbo Regional Council.

Gunnedah Shire Council is using its entire $2 million in funding for the reconstruction of the tarmac, taxiway and apron at Gunnedah Aerodrome, which will hopefully pave the way for commercial flights to operate from the airport, bringing significant economic benefits to the region.

Narromine Shire Council is using its funding to improve footpaths in Narromine and Trangie, to upgrade the aquatic centre and the Tomingley water supply, as well as for gravel re-sheeting of various roads in the shire.

In Dubbo, projects include the Wheelers Lane Road rehabilitation works, infrastructure upgrades at the Old Dubbo Gaol Heritage Plaza, the construction of an elevated substation platform at the Ollie Robbins Oval event precinct, and wayfinding signage along the Tracker Riley Walkway and Riverside Path network.

All of these projects will provide an economic boost to these shires, supporting local jobs, while providing lasting benefits for the local community.