The Hon Michael McCormack MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Leader of The Nationals
Federal Member for Riverina
Senator Amanda Stoker
LNP Senator for Queensland
Mayor Graeme Lehmann
Mayor of Somerset Regional Council
MEDIA RELEASE
5 September 2018
GREGORS CREEK ROAD UPGRADE GETS VITAL BOOST FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
An important heavy vehicle route in Gregors Creek will soon get a 3.08km bitumen seal after $ 1.035
million was committed under round six of the Liberal and Nationals’ Government’s Heavy Vehicle
Safety and Productivity Program, Senator Stoker says.
“This funding will support increased heavy vehicle use, improve safety and reduce travel time,
which is why I am proud we have been able to deliver our fair share of funding to make this
critical upgrade a reality,” Senator Stoker said.
Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann has welcomed a Federal Government announcement of 50% funding for a
$2.07 million upgrade to widen Gregors Creek Road to a seven metre bitumen width.
“Council thanks the Australian Government for its funding support under the heavy vehicle safety
and productivity program to ensure that the full length of Gregors Creek Road will be seven metres
wide,” he said.
“Earlier this year traffic numbers along Gregors Creek Road hit more than 500 vehicles per day for
the first time.”
“People know that they can save 6.5 kilometres one-way by using Gregors Creek compared to the
highway route and this widening will result in a considerably safer and more productive road and
for commercial vehicles,” he said.
Cr Lehmann said that the $2.07 million widening upgrade will be done at the same time as a $1.2
million upgrade to replace the last single lane bridge on Gregors Creek Road, which is also being
50% funded by the Australian Government.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional
Development Michael McCormack said the program provides funding to local councils and State and
Territory Governments to help fund works designed to improve the safety and efficiency of important
heavy vehicle routes around the nation.
“Around Australia we are investing in helping people get home sooner and safer, no matter where
they live,” Mr McCormack said.
“That’s why we are continuing to deliver road funding where it’s needed, based mainly on the local
knowledge, especially to councils which make up more than 60 per cent of the 93 projects selected
under this latest round of funding.”
More on the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, including a full list of successful
Round Six projects, is available at:
http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/heavy_vehicle_safety_and_prod
uctivity.aspx
Ends.
Media Contact:
Mr McCormack – Colin Bettles 0447 718 781 | Dom Hopkinson 0409 421 209
Senator Stoker – Julia Dixon 0403 139 823
Mayor Lehmann – Melanie Maeseele 0467 096 788
