Funding for roads around Gloucester was on the table during a meeting with members of Gloucester Business Chamber, Advance Gloucester and the newly appointed Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey.
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Ms Pavey travelled to Gloucester via The Bucketts Way from Krambach with Nationals Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen on Monday, February 20.
After the meeting, they continued their journey south on The Bucketts Way to Limeburner so Ms Pavey could see the condition of the road.
Minister Pavey started off the meeting by telling the group that she was the daughter of a dairy farmer and that she knew first hand the importance of good quality roads for farming transport.
Being a resident of the Mid North Coast region, she understands the importance of roads for industry, tourism and safety.
“I have only been in the job for two weeks and here I am because I see how important it is to the community,” she stressed.
“The community wants money spent on infrastructure needed for industry, lifestyle and safety,” she said.
She explained how, in their party room, Mr Johnsen hasn’t stopped talking about the conditions of the roads around Gloucester and the need for funding.
“I figured I had to get out here and have a look for myself.”
“We’ve got to bring it into the 21st century,” Mr Johnsen said about the condition of The Bucketts Way and Thunderbolts Way.
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He’s pushing for the State Government to kick in the $1.5 million share of the Giro Project on the Thunderbolts Way and approve the grant request to fix the southern section of The Bucketts Way.
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Ms Pavey discussed how round three of “Fixing Country Roads” funding is due to open soon. The Bucketts Way upgrade had been unsuccessful in attracting funding in the past, but MidCoast Council has keep the grant application going.
Members of the local community groups were given the opportunity to express their concerns about the condition of the roads and the need to improve the safety.
Gloucester Business Chamber president, Stuart Redman told the minister about his first hand experience with fatalities on the Giro section of the Thunderbolts Way.
When she asked him how many deaths had occurred in the past 10 years, he simply answered, “Too many to count.”
Ms Pavey also thanked the community for the support and patience during the recent council mergers.
She acknowledged that is has been a difficult process but stressed the importance of getting efficient procedures in place.
“We are playing catch up with the backlog in roadworks,” she explained.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
