SCONE FREIGHT ACCESS ROUTE INVESTIGATION PROMISED BY A RE-ELECTED NSW NATIONALS GOVERNMENT

Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell has welcomed a commitment that a re-elected NSW Nationals and Liberals Government will investigate a new freight access route for Scone.

“Upper Hunter Shire Council and the community have told me better access arrangements are needed for heavy vehicles servicing Scone,” Mr Layzell said.

“I have listened and raised the issue with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway to secure $15 million for the investigation and delivery of the project.”

The focus will be how trucks that service the Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre and Scone Abattoir can be diverted away from residential streets in the township.

“The saleyard and meatworks are vital to the Scone and Upper Hunter shire economy,” Mr Layzell said.

“The NSW Nationals know how important it is to have efficient and effective transport links for both of these operations and that’s why we are prepared to back this investigation.

“Bottom line, is that improving freight access at Scone will benefit road safety on residential streets and the potential for additional job creation in the town.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the Upper Hunter Electorate is already benefitting from the NSW Nationals commitment to improve infrastructure for the road freight industry.

“Since 2011, we have ensured delivery of the Scone Bypass, undertaken upgrades on the Golden Highway, commenced construction on the Belford to Golden Highway-New England Highway upgrade and more recently commenced pre-construction work for the Singleton and Muswellbrook Bypasses,” Mr Farraway said.

“The road infrastructure pipeline that the NSW Nationals and Liberals in Government is delivering can only achieve its full potential when important economic drivers like Scone saleyard and the local abattoir have efficient transport connections which link them to markets and their customers.”

PICTURE CAPTION: Dave Layzell with Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway and Upper Hunter Mayor Cr Maurice Collison during announcement of the commitment at Scone saleyards.