The New South Wales government will invest over $180 million to upgrade the state’s road network designed to support the safer movement of oversize and overmass (OSOM) vehicles transporting components for renewable energy projects like wind and solar.
The Minns Labor government announced last week that it would invest $183.2 million across three of the five designated Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) to deliver critical road upgrades and builds on the $128.5 million already committed to deliver upgrades along the Central-West Orana REZ route.
New funding will include $50 million for the Central – West Orana REZ for safety and capacity upgrades, focused primarily along the Golden Highway, as well as between the Port of Newcastle and the Central West.
A further $65 million will go towards work on six intersection upgrades in the South – West REZ to allow components to be moved through the western Riverina region between the Dinawan and the Buronga substations.
A final $68.2 million will begin upgrades at Rix’s Creek Bridge and Liddell Interchange in the New England REZ, plan for safety and capacity upgrades between Muswellbrook and Armidale, and develop an OSOM route around Tamworth on the northern end.
The road upgrades are designed to not only smooth the way for OSOM routes but to also recognise the importance regional communities have to the clean energy transition.
“These upgrades recognise a simple reality,” said Jenny Aitchison, state minister for roads. “Our regional communities are at the heart of our renewable energy future and for too long they’ve had to bear the brunt of the transition without the infrastructure to support it.
“The Central-West Orana and surrounding regions are the powerhouse of our state’s energy transition. They have long powered NSW through a mix of energy sources. As we transition, they will continue to play that critical role.”
Design work is already underway for upgrades on the Sturt and New England highways, and delivery has begun on town entry safety treatments on the Golden Highway at Dubbo, Dunedoo, Jerrys Plains Denman, and Sandy Hollow.
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering a ‘once-in-a-generation upgrade’ of the state’s electricity system,” said Penny Sharpe, state minister for energy.
“As part of this, we are upgrading our road network to help deliver the renewable energy zones and a once in a generation road upgrade.”
“NSW has the most advanced plan for the rollout of renewable energy in Australia – today’s investment in our road network is the next stage of that.”
Transport for NSW, the state’s transport services and roads agency, will complete community consultations over the coming months and provide further information and expected timelines as its road infrastructure upgrade program continues.
This latest investment brings the total available funding available for REZ road upgrades to $216.9 million, including $5 million from the federal government.
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