$5 million for a safer Riverside Drive to be delivered
15th January, 2014
RIVERSIDE Drive in Nambucca Heads will be made safer through engineering works which will stabilise the road to prevent land slips.Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss today joined Acting NSW Premier Andrew Stoner and Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker to announce the $5 million project.
Mr Truss said the funding was a Coalition election commitment and would be available in the 2014/15 financial year.
“Given the instability of the road and the risk of landslips to lives and to property, the Australian Government will deliver the funding in its first budget,” Mr Truss said.
“Riverside Drive has been identified as one of the most dangerous local blackspots on the North Coast, with motorists’ lives at risk and houses under threat. An assessment by independent engineers confirmed the danger by rating the road as hazardous.
“I saw it for myself when I inspected the road last May with the Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker and the Mayor of Nambucca Shire Council Rhonda Hoban.
“Luke Hartsuyker fought particularly hard to secure these funds, and today’s announcement gives funding certainty that the works can commence.
“We will fund the necessary engineering works to stabilise the embankment and rebuild the worst section.”
Mr Stoner said 6,000 vehicles a day use the road and sections regularly slip during heavy rainfall.
“The section of road between the Nambucca Heads Tourist Information Centre and the northern entrance to Woodbell Street was the most unstable,” Mr Stoner said.
“The Nambucca Shire Council does not have the funds to make the necessary upgrade and we will work with the Council to make sure this road is safe for residents and motorists.”
Mr Hartsuyker welcomed confirmation of the funding.
“Because of the threat to public safety, I have been fighting for Riverside Drive funding for a number of years,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“When Warren Truss visited the site last May he clearly saw the need for these works. It was as a result of Warren’s support that I was able to announce the $5 million election commitment.
“Today’s announcement will ensure the road is fixed and the embankment properly secured.”
