Rangari Road upgrade a step closer

THE $9m sealing of the Narrabri Shire portion of Rangari Road is one step closer following the finalisation and signing of a funding agreement for the project.

The project, which is being funded through the NSW government’s Rural and Regional Roads Fund, will see the remaining 10km of unsealed road sealed for the first time.

It has been an upgrade long sought by locals and travellers following the completion of sealing works on sections of the road in Gunnedah and Tamworth shires in 2023.

The previous upgrades experienced prolonged delays due to severe weather events and funding shortfalls.

Mayor Darrell Tiemens welcomed the finalisation and signing of the funding agreement in what is a vital upgrade for road safety and the community.

“The finalisation of the funding agreement represents a critical advancement for this significant upgrade,” Cr Tiemens said.

“More than 250 vehicles use Rangari Road each day, including farmers, miners, businesses, tourists and locals, and it has long been identified as a safety priority.

“The completion of the sealing of Rangari Road will be a huge improvement in terms of safety, connectivity and access for our region.”

The council had pursued the road upgrade for nearly four years.

“This next significant step on the project is testament to the collaboration of council, the business community and residents who worked together to make this upgrade possible,” Cr Tiemens said.

“It is the result of the extremely hard work and advocacy of the communities and businesses of Boggabri and Baan Baa, all of whom are deserving of this upgrade.

“As someone who also travels Rangari Road frequently, there is no question that this upgrade needed to happen.”

Cr Tiemens said the completed sealing of Rangari Road will not only be good for the Boggabri and Baan Baa communities, but everyone across the shire who use the road.

“This road was never built for the amount of traffic that it now carries, and we now look forward to the completion of this vital project,” he said.

Cr Tiemens thanked the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and the state Member for Barwon for their role in the project.

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank our local member Roy Butler, Transport for NSW and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison for their enormous support for this important road safety project,” he said.

With the funding agreement now finalised, Aitchison said the sealing of the remaining section of Rangari Road means delivering a road that is fit for purpose.

“Reducing dust, improving driving conditions and providing a more reliable connection for local communities and businesses, particularly during wet weather,” she said.

“The Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, has been a strong advocate for this project, and this progress is testament to his ongoing commitment to delivering better outcomes for the local community.”

The council’s general manager, Eloise Chaplain, said preparations for the Rangari Road sealing were progressing well.

“Works for the project have continued in the background while the funding agreement finalisation and signing process was underway,” Chaplain said.

“This includes the completion of the detailed design as well as advertising of the tender for tree removal as part of the upgrade.

“All these works in the background have ensured construction works will get underway in August, with the complete sealing of Rangari Road to be finished by October next year.”

In addition to the sealing works, the upgrade will include road widening, improved drainage, upgraded signage, new intersection and centre line markings, new guideposts and enhanced delineation throughout the route.