Work continues to secure the funding needed for next stage of project
Work has continued to progress on this project, which remains of the highest priority for Council.
The current focus is securing project funding, with Transport for NSW receiving the final Toose Road Access Options Study combined with a request for funding.
When a funding request of this size is made to construct a new road alignment, an Independent Technical Review process is required before approval can be given.
This is a more complicated process than typical Natural Disaster Funding requests (such as Devil's Nook landslip) which focus on fixing existing roads.
The Independent Technical Review process is now drawing to a close and Council hopes that a funding announcement will be coming soon.
Once that funding is announced it will trigger significant progress on this important project,
As promised at the community meeting held in late 2023, Council staff have continued to progress with the current preferred option: the Kempsey-Armidale Road Higher Level Alignment.
That has included:
- Refinement of engineering inputs and scope of works required to proceed to tender.
- Development of tender documents.
- Progressing with flood modelling and hydrology for the preferred bridge site.
- Preliminary environmental investigations & engagement with the Thunggutti Local Aboriginal Land Council.
- Survey for land acquisition purposes and to inform the detailed design.
- Acquisition of the existing Crown Road alignment that closely follows the preferred route.
A further update will be provided when the Independent Technical Review and Assessment by Transport for NSW is complete.
A copy of the latest report can be found here -Toose Road Final Long Term Options Report.
