David Gillespie announced Bucketts Way funding as part of Federal budget

Delivered as part of the budget on Tuesday night (April 2), federal Member for Lyne David Gillespie said the funds were in addition to the $5million dollars of federal funding under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program announced in August last year.

Upgrades to The Bucketts Way have been broken down into four stages as part of the Bucketts Way Route Access Strategy Upgrade Program, which is designed to elevate the transport route between Twelve Mile at the Pacific Highway through to Walcha via the Thunderbolts Way. 

“This funding will be injected into the next two stages of the upgrade,” Dr Gillespie said.

Stage two of the strategy is worth $17.7 million dollars, stage three of the program is worth $24.6 million, and stage four involves upgrading the Thunderbolts Way, which the State Nationals committed $19.7 million to earlier this year.

It's been around three years since community group, Advance Gloucester got involved in the development of the strategy for the stretch of road that is a vital link between Newcastle, Gloucester and the Northern Tablelands.

As it is the fastest way to travel between the areas, the roads are heavily used as a major transport link, however the deteriorated pavement, lack of passing lanes and very sharp corners can make it a dangerous option. 

According to the group's deputy chair, Rod Williams upgrades to this major transport corridor are essential to the region's growth potential and therefore, the group has worked hard to bring together all the stakeholders in order to get the project off the ground.

"We're over the moon with any funding coming in over the radar," Mr Williams said.

"It's well overdue."

"There are no losers in this. It'll springboard Gloucester's opportunities, supporting tourism and industry in the region," he said.

Mr Williams said the work that is projected to be done on The Bucketts Way south is the most substantial improvements to ever be done to the road.

As part of a State election promise, the NSW Nationals stated it would take back ownership of certain roads, including The Bucketts Way and the Thunderbolts Way.

Newly re-elected member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen said the legal process to delivering that promise could take up to 12 months after which time the projects will be completed on a priority basis.

"Any money committed by the State to The Bucketts Way and the Thunderbolts Way will not be affected," Mr Johnsen said.

In May 2017, the then Minister for Roads, Melinda Pavey and Mr Johnsen announced $8.3 million of funding for stage one to help MidCoast Council and Port Stephens Council to fix The Bucketts Way, south of Gloucester. Prior to Dr Gillespie's $5 million announcement, MidCoast Council's manager, transport assets, Scott Nicholson said the project couldn't proceed until $8.396 million of federal funding is secured. Council has confirmed its due to commence works for stage one of the project this month.

The $20 million dollar funding in this year's budget will deliver targeted upgrades along the corridor, improving freight efficiency, road safety, and connectivity for people travelling to work and getting goods to markets.

"Bucketts Way is an important link between Newcastle Port and the prime agricultural areas of the northern tablelands and the North Coast hinterland," Dr Gillespie said.

"An upgrade of this important road will improve access for higher productivity freight vehicles that support the timber, agricultural and poultry sectors. This investment will prioritise sections of the route that have been identified in the Bucketts Way Route Access Strategy Upgrade Program."

"While the Bucketts Way is a local and regional road jointly funded by local and state government, I've been lobbying very hard with my Federal colleague Barnaby Joyce to secure additional funds to continue to expedite the overall upgrade because it is an important freight and tourist route for our region," Dr Gillespie said.