TRUCKS will have better access to Flinders Estate after Monday’s announcement of a $6 million upgrade to Flinders Road at South Nowra.
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Federal, state and local government allocated $2.95 million, $3.1 million and $300,000 respectively to improve the link between the Princes Highway and Albatross Road via Flinders Road.
The announcement also means right-turn access from the highway into Flinders Road will remain.
The decision is a relief to transport companies which had previously protested the RMS’ intention to stop right-hand turns at the intersection of Flinders Road and the Princes Highway.
“Some time ago we asked the RMS not to ban the right-hand turn at this stage but to have further discussions with council,” Mrs Hancock said.
She said the money meant design work could start on the road realignment, widening and a truck rest area.
“Shoalhaven City Council must be congratulated for contributing $300,000 towards this project, representing a genuine working partnership with the NSW government.
“Council has also been successful in securing $2.95 million from the federal government under its Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program,” she said.
Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash said the funding would allow council to increase the width of Flinders Road and improve the intersections along the road.
“An infrastructure project of this value would be very difficult for council to undertake by ourselves,” Cr Gash said.
“This is what can happen when three levels of government work together,” she said.
“The adjoining Flinders Industrial Estate is a major manufacturing and distribution centre for local, national and international companies making the need for improved heavy vehicle access imperative.”
Flinders Estate was established 30 years ago and is now close to capacity.
Shoalhaven City Council economic development officer Greg Pullen said the road improvement was likely to aid future industrial growth to the tune of between 5000 and 10,000 jobs over 30 years.
“By the end of 2016 we should have the project completed based on our planning at this stage,” he said.
The project ticked all the boxes for safety, employment and transport, according to Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis.
“With a lot of leverage from council, for a small investment they’ve managed to get a quite a lot of money from the state and significant money from the federal government,” she said.
“Collectively between the three levels of government I think it’s quite a coup for Shoalhaven.”
