Persistent community lobbying has paid off, with the final unsealed section of Rangari Road set to be completed under a $9 million investment from the NSW Government.
The NSW Government announced on Tuesday it will fund the sealing of the remaining 9.6 kilometres of Rangari Road in the Narrabri Shire, connecting the Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri local government areas.
The funding, provided through the NSW Government’s Rural and Regional Roads Fund, will allow Narrabri Shire Council to complete the missing link in the route between Manilla and Boggabri. Once finished, Rangari Road will be fully sealed for the first time, improving safety, reliability and accessibility for residents, farmers, freight operators and emergency services.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to delivering safer and more resilient roads for regional communities.
“We’re getting on with the job of delivering better roads for regional communities,” Ms Aitchison said. “This funding will seal the final stretch of Rangari Road, making a real difference for locals, freight and emergency services who rely on it every day. The NSW Government is backing the bush by building safer, stronger connections right across the state.”
Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler, who has long advocated for the project, welcomed the announcement and congratulated members of the community who had advocated for the upgrade.
“I am pleased to announce that the sealing of Rangari Road will soon be completed,” Mr Butler said. “The NSW Government has informed me that they will allocate $9 million from the Rural and Regional Roads Fund to seal the remaining 9.64-kilometre section, which is in the Narrabri Shire in the Barwon electorate.”
Mr Butler said the completion of the project would significantly improve safety and access for the community, while supporting economic development and connectivity across the region.
“This has been a long time coming for our community,” he said.
“Rangari Road is a key route for farmers, workers and families and sealing this last section means safer travel, less maintenance and better reliability for everyone.”
“I’m pleased to have worked with Minister Aitchison to secure this investment and I will be encouraging Council to get moving, to ensure safer roads for Barwon.”
So far, more than $30 million has been invested in upgrading Rangari Road, including $22 million in previous stages that sealed the sections through the Tamworth and Gunnedah LGAs. The state of Rangari Road has been a frequent topic of discussions, including being highlighted by member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey and Narrabri Shire Council as in need following recent flooding.
The new funding will complete the final link, delivering a safer, smoother and more reliable route across the north-west.
A further $1.2 million safety upgrade was also announced earlier this month for a section near the Narrabri boundary, which included road widening and sealing works on a 650-metre section about 25 kilometres east of the Kamilaroi Highway intersection at Boggabri.
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