Federal politicians listened to concerns about transportation in the Gloucester region during an informal discussion recently.
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Andrew Broad and Federal member for Lyne David Gillespie met with representatives from MidCoast Council, Advanced Gloucester, local industries including beef, dairy and poultry industries on Wednesday October 31.
The meeting gave the representatives an opportunity to discuss the need for major improvements to the Bucketts Way and Thunderbolts Way to increase its significance as a freight corridor.
Funding announcements over the past 18 months from State, Federal and local governments will see the commencement of a $19.142 million roads upgrade on The Bucketts Way, south of Gloucester. The upgrade is stage one of an estimated $60 million project which includes additional passing lanes, wider bridges and further structural improvements. Part of the discussion involved the location of the passing lanes and the engineering requirements for the bridges in order to bring the road up to a better standard for large transport trucks.
Giro Mountain, on the Thunderbolts Way, was also discussed as the representatives explained the issues with the state of the road.
Despite MidCoast Council putting aside $1.5 million for a safety upgrade of the notoriously dangerous stretch of road, council has been repeatedly unsuccessful at acquiring additional State and Federal funding for the estimated $4.5 million project.
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.
