Better Bus Shelters for Coolamon, Cowra and Junee

Six new shelters and one upgraded bus stop for Coolamon, Cowra and Junee are on the way after funding was granted under the latest round of the NSW Government’s Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the local community is set to benefit from $69,500 in grants for improved infrastructure at local bus stops.

“This improved infrastructure will see Coolamon Shire receiving one upgraded bus stop and one new shelter, Cowra Shire receiving two new shelters and Junee Shire will receive three new shelters. This is a worthwhile investment into safety and accessibility for our local bus-farers,” Ms Cooke said.

“Safety is an important aspect of the upgrade works, which include installing aids such as guide rails, tactile ground surface indicators and lighting, and improving kerbside access and in some cases, an upgraded or new shelter.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the funding for the Cootamundra electorate is part of the latest round of the NSW Government’s Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS) to improve bus stop infrastructure. 

“This scheme is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to provide accessible public transport infrastructure across the state and I’m pleased to announce this latest round of grants, totalling more than $2.1 million,” Mr Farraway said.

The scheme provides subsidies to support the construction or upgrade of bus stop infrastructure owned and maintained by local councils across regional NSW.  

44 regional councils, community groups and schools applied for the grants under the latest round of the scheme.

For more information on CPTIGS, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/community-transport-operators/country-passenger-transport-infrastructure-grants-scheme

Transport Infrastructure Boost Announced in 2022-23 Federal Budget

The Liberal-National Coalition handed down their 2022-23 Federal Budget this week which included a record investment in transport infrastructure.

The rolling 10 year infrastructure investment pipeline will increase to a record breaking amount from $110 billion to $120 billion to better our road and rail networks.

A number of new and existing projects will benefit from the substantial boost, most notably for the Cootamundra electorate was the announcement of $16 million for the planning of the Sheahan Bridge upgrade which is located in the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council area.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the strong financial commitment by the Federal Government to upgrading transport infrastructure including the Sheahan Bridge along the Hume Highway.

“The Sheahan Bridge is a vital section of Hume Highway that provides a safe connection for motorists and freight operators over the Murrumbidgee River floodplain between North and South Gundagai,” Ms Cooke said.

“The original bridge was built way in 1977 with the $78 million duplication funded by the Federal Government completed in mid 2009 as part of the Hume Highway dual lane project.”

“Considering the age of the structures and the immense increase in traffic we have seen along the route in recent years, particularly freight, I have no doubt that the section is due for an upgrade in order to keep up with the ever growing demand.”

This commitment towards funding for transport infrastructure is being further echoed by the NSW Government through the continuing benefits from the $400 million Fixing Country Rail, $500 million Fixing Country Bridges and the $543 Fixing Local Roads programs.

“Just under the Fixing Local Roads program alone across three rounds, the NSW Government has funded over $44 million worth of projects in the Cootamundra electorate,” Ms Cooke added.

“It’s not just the major transport routes that are seeing improvements, our back roads and laneways that are well travelled by local residents are receiving upgrades as well.”

This is the ninth Federal Budget handed down by the Coalition Government with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to deliver the full 2022-23 Budget tonight.

Hume Highway Upgrade At Snowball Creek Reaches Next Stage

The Hume Highway transformation at Snowball Creek is moving forward with work on the crossover at Jessops Lagoon Road now complete, and road rehabilitation about to begin.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said work on the $500,000 crossover, seven kilometres south of Gundagai, has been carried out for the past month and will enable southbound traffic to be diverted onto the northbound lanes in a contraflow to allow the next stage of work – a $5 million pavement rehabilitation.

“This work will go a long way to improving safety and efficiency along this stretch of the Hume Highway,” Ms Cooke said.

“It also marks Stage 3 of the complete rebuild and resurface of the Hume Highway to extend its life, improve the surface, and reduce further maintenance costs on this popular stretch of road in regional NSW.”

This latest work will bring the NSW Government investment in this project to $12 million provided under the asset maintenance funding program, with plans for an extra $7 million of future work until 2024.

Work on the crossover is now complete and has opened the way for the pavement rehabilitation on a 1.8 kilometre section of the southbound carriageway to start on Monday 7 February.

During this stage of the work, speed restrictions will be in place with lane closures on both carriageways as they start to set up the contraflow by Saturday 12 February.

From then, southbound lanes will be closed, with traffic to merge under contraflow at the new Jessops Lagoon crossover and south of the Fullers Lane crossover.

There will be no access to Jessops Lagoon Road from the Hume Highway during this stage of the work with motorists advised to travel via Gocup Road, Mount Street, Cross Street or Eagle Street, which will add an extra 10 minutes to journeys.

Work will be carried out between 6am and 11pm Monday to Friday and is expected to be completed by the end of April, weather permitting.

A temporary reduced speed limit of 60 km/h will also be in place for the duration of this work for the safety of workers and motorists.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, allow extra travel time, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

Transport for NSW thanks the community for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com, download the live traffic app or call the Transport Management Centre on 132 701.

Signs Remind Drivers in Cootamundra Region to Take Care this Harvest

Signs rolling out on key freight routes and level crossings across the Cootamundra electorate are reminding drivers to take extra care on the road this bumper harvest season.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said with extra truck movements and with local farmers and drivers at risk of fatigue by doing long days harvesting and transporting grain, we’re reminding everyone to do the right thing behind the wheel.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, so we’re rolling out two types of signs to remind drivers to be patient, slow down and take care on the road this harvest,” Ms Cooke said.

“The NSW Government will roll out electronic message signs along key road harvest routes and high-risk level crossings.

“Local farmers whose properties have level crossings on them can also order free signs they can install on their gates to help increase safety at level crossings.

“Many farms have passive level crossings, which are only controlled by ‘give-way’ or ‘stop’ signs, so these signs let people know to stop and look for trains.

“Private level crossings that rarely see trains throughout the year will have a surge in activity, so available red and yellow-coloured signs, developed in partnership with the Australian Rail Track Corporation, will alert road users that a train may be on the approach.

“People of the Cootamundra electorate are very passionate about this issue and I would like to say a special thank you to Maddie Bott for her ongoing work with the level crossing safety petition.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said this year’s grain crop is shaping up to top a record 16 million tonnes, with headers already ripping into the task in the north of the state, and some grain receival sites opening for the first time in seven years.

“This year’s expected bumper harvest couldn’t have come at a better time for our farmers, but it does come with additional safety concerns with more activity around silos and stored grain moving off site,” Mr Toole said.

“These signs, which promote safety around managing fatigue, being aware of trucks and wearing a seatbelt, are another measure we’re taking to improve safety at level crossings right across the network and drive the road toll towards zero.”

Farmers who would like to request a sign for their property can go to: nswroads.work/gatesign. For more information on how to stay safe this harvest season, please visit the Centre for Road Safety website: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/fatigue/