Kyogle Council’s $5 million Culmaran Creek Road Upgrade Project was officially opened today by Mayor Danielle Mulholland and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan.
The upgraded road will improve transport links, increase freight efficiencies and pave the way for more local jobs.
Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland said project was a great example of what could be achieved when the three tiers of government and the community worked together
“It is largely due to partnerships that this road got funded – partnerships between different levels of government, with industry leaders and the community, and I thank them all for their assistance,” Cr Mulholland said.
The Federal Government committed more than $2 million to the project under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages and the State Government provided $2.6 million through the Fixing Country Roads Program.
Kyogle Council committed a further $245,000, Mara Global Foods $30,000 and Mara Seeds $10,000.
Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the completion of the road was great news for the community.
“Local companies like Mara Seeds and Mara Global Foods came to me because they were having difficulty getting their produce to markets, which was restricting their growth and job creation,” he said.
“The new road will support the existing 25 jobs at the two companies and provide the potential for doubling the workforce over the next 12 to 18 months.
“It supported another 17 jobs during the construction phase.
“By creating a new dual lane concrete bridge capable of supporting heavier vehicles and their cargo, we have unlocked the barriers to growth that many local industries have faced due to poor freight access to places like the Port of Brisbane.”