Bold vision for moree intermodal gains speed With nsw government funding

Bold vision for Moree Intermodal Gains Speed - With NSW Government Funding

Mayor Katrina Humphries, Tom French Chairman of the Moree Local Aboriginal Lands Council (Moree LALC) and Lloyd Munro, Vice-Chairman of the Moree LALC today joined Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Northern Tablelands MP and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall on site for the announcement of a $3.4 million grant by the NSW Government to build roads and improve access around the Moree Intermodal Park.

The works will be funded through the Growing Local Economies Fund which is part of the NSW Government’s $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support long-term economic growth and create jobs in regional New South Wales.

Moree Plains Shire Council (Council) will deliver the North-South Link; a key part of its Inland Rail program. The North-South Link comprises:

The construction of a section of new road connecting Tapscott’s Road to Burrington Road south of the Louis Dreyfus Company site and north of Council’s Evergreen Precinct; and An upgrade of an existing unsealed and flood-prone road running parallel to the Newell Highway east of the Inland Rail corridor linking to major intermodal facilities and the Moree Intermodal Park.

The North-South Link will enhance safety and productivity by catering for high productivity vehicles, resulting in a reduced number of vehicle movements for the amount of freight transported.

In addition to the NSW Government funding, Council will contribute $205,000 with a further $337,000 to be funded by industry. This part of the program is also underpinned by a shared and committed vision for the future of the Moree Plains by Council working with the Moree LALC.

Mayor Katrina Humphries applauded today’s announcement as a clear indication of the NSW Government’s confidence in Moree’s future and Council’s strategy to build on the Plains’ proud agricultural dominance and leverage the opportunities the Inland Rail will bring to the Shire and New South Wales.

“Council has developed a bold vision to ensure the Inland Rail has a positive impact on this community and the New England region.  We see the North-South Link as a vital first step in this program. Our economic development, planning, and engineering teams have worked in close collaboration with the NSW Government and the Moree LALC to secure this exciting investment.

“The support of both the NSW Government and private industry is critical. It is great to see that our State counterparts recognise that the Moree Plains is so well positioned to play a pivotal role in unleashing regional development opportunities off the back of this nation-building project”, she said.

“We commend the strong economic vision the NSW Government has for regional NSW and for Moree in particular.

“The North-South Link has been designed to work in sympathy with both existing and planned infrastructure projects associated with the new Moree Intermodal Park development.  Creating a coordinated program of projects will build investor confidence, enable future industry expansion, deliver improved road safety and increased freight efficiencies as well as enhancing access to markets for local businesses via industry-leading rail siding access to Inland Rail.  

“I’m also proud as punch that the North-South Link is the culmination of a great working relationship between Council and the Moree Local Aboriginal Lands Council. I cannot tell you how supportive Tom, Lloyd and the Lands Council more generally have been in the process. The North-South Link will long be remembered as a great example of what can be achieved when state and local government work with the aboriginal community and industry”, said Mayor Humphries.

Chairman of the Moree LALC Tom French couldn’t agree more. “We are so pleased this project will be funded by the NSW Government. For members of our local indigenous workforce, Council’s inland rail program has the potential to deliver real financial security, rewarding work and personal development including through representing and mentoring their communities.

“I am so pleased with the outcome of our collaboration with Council on this part of the program and the dividends it will now bring”, said Mr French.

Vice-Chairman Lloyd Munro shared Mr French’s enthusiasm, “Working together towards a unified solution which benefits all of the Moree Plains community has been a great driver for the North-South Link. For Inland Rail to be truly nation-building, we need real inclusion and real outcomes and our work with Council in relation to the North-South Link is delivering that tenfold. It’s a great outcome for all of us.”

Mayor Humphries agreed, adding, “For over 3 years, Council has been working with key stakeholders and across the NSW Government to help secure the infrastructure investment that will maximise the benefits of Inland Rail for our community. This investment is crucial in a time of drought and will allow the community to position itself to ensure that, when it does rain, we take advantage of every opportunity.”