Jobs at Mountain Blue Farms, Maslen Contractors/Earthmoving, Mara Seeds, Mara Global Foods, Riverbend Pork and Yulgilbar Santa Gertrudis Stud have been secured with work starting on the $7.85 million upgrade of Clarence Way, the Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said.
“These companies turn over more than $250 million annually for the Tabulam economy and are crucial to maintaining and creating local jobs,” he said.
“Kyogle Council came to me asking for assistance in upgrading a 14.8km section of Clarence Way, which is a key project needed to unlock the economic potential of the Tabulam Agribusiness Precinct.
“This section of Clarence Way has a loose, dangerous and uneven gravel surface. This means businesses not only find it hard to get their produce to market, but in many cases their products are damaged due to the poor condition of the road.
“This hurts the financial viability of many of the businesses and also threatens jobs.
“This project is a major boost for local agricultural industries and an important link in the regional freight network.
The project will seal the final 14.8km gravel section of the Clarence Way south of the Bruxner Highway. It is jointly funded with the Federal Government contributing $3.55 million, the NSW Government $4.2 million and Kyogle Council $146,000.
“Clarence Way is a key link road for local growers and regional freight, and this upgrade will allow unrestricted B-double access from Grafton to the Bruxner Highway, boosting growth opportunities for local businesses,” Mr Hogan said.
“It also means lower operating costs and increased productivity for our freight industry, and a safer road network for all road users.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure Chris Gulaptis said the “freight industry in NSW contributes more than $60 billion to the state’s economy and we know that efficient road networks are a key part of that industry’s growth”.
“A productive freight industry benefits everyone, from the growers getting their produce and stock to market, to the many employed in freight and related industries, right through to the consumers at the other end of the supply chain,” he said.
The sealing of the Clarence Way is a key part of Kyogle Council’s project to develop the Tabulam Agribusiness Precinct.
This project aims to upgrade roads, bridges, water and sewerage at Tabulam, allowing the community to grow local agricultural industries and population into the future.
Kyogle Council Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland said the community had been calling for the road to be sealed for years and thanked everyone involved in helping Council prepare a business case for the project.
“As I have said before, everyone wins when the State and Federal Governments work hand-in-hand with Council on projects such as this that provide the community with real and lasting outcomes,” she said.
“If we are serious about attracting, developing and maintaining industry in our area, we need the infrastructure in place.
“Just as importantly, this project will improve road safety for motorists who use Clarence Way.”
