A huge $34.5 million will be invested by the NSW Government to flood-proof critical road networks across the Richmond and Clarence valleys, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis.

Mr Gulaptis was joined by the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, Richmond Valley Mayor, Robert Mustow and Nationals Candidate for Clarence, Richie Williamson on Monday of last week at Naughtons Gap in Casino to make the multi-million-dollar announcement.

The new Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package, funded jointly by the NSW and Federal Governments, will allow roads and transport assets to be built to a higher standard to withstand future extreme natural weather events.

“Richie and I have been in the ear of the Minister advocating for funding to upgrade critical road networks that were impacted by flooding and serve as important links to communities across the Richmond and Clarence valleys,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“We’re delighted to see that three projects put forward by Richmond and Clarence Valley councils – Naughtons Gap Road at Casino, Woodburn-Coraki Road and Yamba Road between Harwood and Palmers Channel – will receive funding so councils can flood-proof them.”

Mr Gulaptis said a major landslip occurred during last year’s flood event on Naugtons Gap Road in Casino, which is a critical road network linking the beef capital to Lismore, and services a large rural residential area including school bus routes.

“Richmond Valley Council identified the road as its number one priority to seek funding so it could be rebuilt to a higher standard, and we have awarded Council with just over $3 million dollars so it can,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“Council was also successful in securing nearly $2 million to design and construct the installation of culverts on Woodburn-Coraki Road,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Mr Gulaptis said almost $10 million will also be invested in upgrading Yamba Road between the Harwood Bridge and Palmers Island.

“This section of Yamba Road is a low spot that causes early closure of the road during flooding,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“Clarence Valley Council proposes to lift the road level at South Bank Road at Palmers Channel and install additional drainage structures and pavement resilience on the low- lying areas of Yamba Road.”

Mr Gulaptis said the NSW Government would also invest over $21 million to upgrade sections of the Summerland Way, Gwydir and Bruxner highways and the Yamba off-ramp on the Pacific Highway.

Welcoming the huge injection of road funding, Richie Williamson said flood-proofing important roads across said regional communities like the Richmond and Clarence Valleys deserved the same quality of road that Sydneysiders are used to.

“As a former Mayor, I know how critical it is to have support from government to help upgrade local roads, and it’s terrific to see this massive investment by the NSW Government to make roads in regional communities as safe as possible,” Mr Williamson said.

PHOTOS:

Chris & Richie with the Mayor of Clarence Valley Council, Ian Tiley discussing the works that will take place to flood-proof a low lying area of Yamba Road. Image: contributed