After more than three years, Naughtons Gap Road is open — and we have the cake to prove it
The road closed signs either side of the landslip on Naughtons Gap Road were removed ... It’s been a long time coming — and it was fitting that the first two cars through on the new road were Paul Connolly’s 1953 FJ Holden and a 1950 Bedford.
Regional Road Safety Alliance
Darren Davis and Ben Hood. For many decades our regional roads have been our most dangerous. Between 2017-2021 67 per cent of road users killed or seriously injured have been from our regional areas. These groups have typically been formed by families who lost loved ones. Due to lack of support, lack of funds and lack of mentorship from road safety stakeholders, Volunteer Community Road Safety Group numbers have declined rapidly during the last decade with regions such as the South East losing all of its groups.
Fourth service station approved for Yanchep with conditions
A fourth service station has been approved in the Yanchep shopping area despite 127 submissions against the proposal and concerns raised by Main Roads WA about direct access onto Marmion Ave ... Main Roads recommended refusal of the 24-hour service station, motor vehicle wash, dog wash and fast-food proposal valued at $3 million.
Roadside fire danger
Privatisation and outsourcing are to blame for grass “higher than the white posts” along our region’s roadsides, according to SA Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. The hazardous vegetation was raised in State Parliament this month by the Member for MacKillop, Nick McBride.
Council to fix Shuards Lane
After 10 years of neglect and six years of wrangling, the current Naracoorte Lucindale Council has voted 7-2 in favour of fixing and reinstating a 636m portion of the 1.866km Shuards Lane. At least five ratepayers no longer have all-weather access to their properties … there is no all-weather access for an ambulance or veterinarian if needed, nor a truck to move or sell livestock.
Street works impact on youth centre
Despite a number of delays caused by the Corryong streetscape project, the re-opening of the Youth Space in Hanson Street will go ahead tomorrow. In 2021, Upper Murray Innovation Foundation (UMIF) - the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) Community Foundation - received a federal Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant to refurbish and re-equip the Youth Space at 42 Hanson Street.
Ireland calls for upgrade
The low-level classification of a road servicing traffic between Bordertown, Lucindale and Kingston will be compared with similar roads by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. This follows Cr Peter Ireland’s call for the classification of several roads, including Dickensons Rd, to be reviewed and upgraded in the council's Road and Stormwater Infrastructure Management Plan. The plan includes a road hierarchy, and the matter was raised at the council's September 10 Strategic Asset and Planning (SAP) meeting.
Gympie bypass opens to traffic: Albanese, King, Chisholm
...Gympie Bypass has opened to traffic, a significant improvement for residents with heavy vehicles no longer needing to travel through Gympie ... cuts travel times, improves motorist safety, access and flood immunity. The project has constructed a new 26-kilometres, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, just south of Gympie, and Curra.
A bridge by any other name”¦ council chooses eight new names
Eight bridges are being named by Richmond Valley Council. These are the names: Hansens Bridge, Monaghans Bridge, Whiteside Bridge, Trustums Bridge, Mathers Bridge, Nowlans Bridge, Watsons Bridge and One Tree Crossing. What do you think of the names?
Dirt roads disappoint
Joanna Tucker. The Dirt Road Maintenance Group (DRMG) has expressed bitter disappointment over the condition of Copper Coast’s dirt roads, which they say pose serious safety risks for drivers. With an expected early start to harvest later this month, about 50 farmers and representatives of local agricultural support businesses gathered near Kadina last week to discuss their next steps.
Farmer installs flashing lights to warn traffic of cows crossing highway
Terry Toohey’s family have been dairy farmers at Woodview, west of Casino since 1901. Back then a busy Bruxner Highway didn’t cut through the green paddocks and cows didn’t have to risk being hit by a car or truck ... The chance of that happening again has been dramatically reduced with the installation of signs with flashing lights when the cows cross the road twice a day.
Vital flood mitigation program extended
A program designed to reduce the risk and impact of flood events across towns in inland NSW has been extended thanks to a $3 million Australian Government grant ... NSW DCCEEW has identified 14 Local Government Areas across inland NSW where flood works pose known risks, and have received strong support for the program.
Road questions raised
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley has called on the Victorian Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, to set a timeline to repair the Granya Road. It has been two years since the road was reduced to one lane … Mr Tilley told the Victorian Parliament yesterday that on the northern side of the township, temporary traffic lights funnel traffic into one lane to protect motorists from a compromised bridge and the gaping hole next to the road itself.
Moving ahead on roads
Michelle Daw. Farming and transport industry representatives have praised a decision by Yorke Peninsula Council to open its roads to higher-productivity heavy vehicles as a victory for common sense. The move followed an enormous response of 789 submissions to council’s public consultation about a proposed strategy to address safety concerns on its roads.
“Bogged” on bitumen
Not many motorists would believe one could be "bogged" on bitumen. Neither would they believe a road servicing an industrial estate would not be able to hold the weight of the trucks that traverse it.
Cunninghams Gap reconstruction project
Work is continuing on the Cunninghams Gap Reconstruction Project to restore the bushfire damaged section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap. The crest of the range has been a hive of activity and works are continuing to reduce the steep grade of the road at Cunninghams Gap.
Truck petition en route to Parliament
The Maldon Heavy Traffic Petition commenced a new leg of its journey to Parliament last week, when members of the Maldon Traffic Group (MTG) presented the document to the Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards. The petition, which requests a comprehensive State Government review into the nature and level of heavy vehicle traffic through Maldon, was prompted by concerns for pedestrian and driver safety ...
Council announces who will fix five landslips, replace two bridges and build a netball clubhouse on piers
Landslips, roads, bridges and a new clubhouse have had tenders announced by Richmond Valley Council so work can begin. Most of the projects are funded under Transport for NSW’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, except the Tatham bridges, which are being funded through the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program 2022-2023.
RACV road safety survey highlights danger on Victoria’s regional roads
Today RACV has released the results of its My Country Road survey, with more than 7,000 Victorians providing important data on the safety of regional roads across the state. Potholes and poor road condition were the top issues identified, with an overwhelming 64 per cent of participants identifying these as the primary safety issue; up from 46 per cent in 2021.
Roads crumble as funding decreases
As Victoria’s road network continues to crumble, new data has revealed funding for road resurfacing work has dropped to a five-year low. Figures provided to State Parliament show that the money spent on resurfacing and resealing contracts in the 2023/24 financial year was just 18 per cent of the previous year, dropping a staggering $163.8 million across the state.
Out with the old – in with the new
The old timber bridge on Ellinthorp Hendon road has been completely replaced with a new timber structure. It’s a neat structure with no sides so flood debris can’t get caught to cause damage.
Millions more in support flowing for Riverland councils, but – too little too late?
Madison Eastmond, Hugh Schuitemaker ... The Federal Government yesterday announced $25m worth of funding to support flood recovery efforts. However, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the repair of damaged local infrastructure needed to be a higher priority ... "Some are unsafe, and councils are left swinging in the breeze wondering if funding will eventuate to repair the flood impacted road network."
