The Tamworth and Peel Valley region has recently had a huge win in the progress of the Dungowan Dam, with the Route for the 55-kilometre Pipeline now locked in, which will run from the site of the Dam to Tamworth Regional Council's Calala Water treatment plant.
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The announcement of the route is an important step towards building the infrastructure required to deliver better drought resilience to the Peel Valley and bringing greater investment to our region.
This new pipeline will replace the 70-year-old existing pipeline and bring more security to Tamworth's current water supply.
It means the community, farmers and businesses of this region can plan for future droughts and be confident they won't run dry.
I was proud to recently announce a new pilot program for council areas such as ours in regional Australia, that will focus on fixing roads that have been left untouched since the great depression.
This is not about sealing roads; it is about making them safer.
It is about putting down gravel to stop parents getting bogged in the rain when they drive their kids to school; it is about removing dangerous corners.
The Liberals and Nationals Government will partner with local government in delivering this new funding to address many neglected roads that are out of sight to most people.
We recognise the costs of upgrading rural and regional roads are often prohibitive for local governments.
The program will offer councils between 80 per cent and 100 per cent of funding to upgrade unsealed roads and improve safety.
In a boost for New England, state and territory governments can now apply for new funding under the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP), to cover 80 per cent of rural and regional projects.
Funding under the BRP and HVSPP supports the infrastructure needed to ensure freight operators can continue to make essential deliveries as well as keeping communities connected and motorists safe.
This includes projects to upgrade or replace ageing bridges, and for road projects which improve the productivity and safety of heavy vehicle movements across Australia.
Last week I was joined by Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, The Hon. Bridget McKenzie to open the new Leading Edge Data Centre in North Tamworth, which will transform the way locals are connected to the internet.
The facility is set to better support regional economic recovery and is already proving this with local businesses already benefiting.
