Construction of a new dual-lane roundabout at Westdale is more than a major improvement to the local road freight network.

According to Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray it is the first step in delivering a new business and industrial precinct which will drive the region’s future economic growth.

Today Cr Murray was joined by Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce and State Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to announce construction of the $9.534 million roundabout at the intersection of the Oxley Highway and Country Road will start on Monday.

It is funded with $4,532,000 from the Australian Government under its Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, $4,056,700 from the NSW Government under its Restart NSW Growing Local Economies Fund and $954,300 from Council.

Cr Murray said it is a key infrastructure project which will unlock development of nearby industrial land.

“The roundabout is a critical road link for the wider scope of work needed to activate the Tamworth Global Gateway Park and the Tamworth Intermodal Freight Rail Terminal,” he said.

“It includes the trunk stormwater drainage system for the park, the Jewry Street bypass for heavy vehicles onto Wallamore Road known as the Taminda Ring Road, the intermodal freight hub within the park and the reactivation of the train line from the West Tamworth Rail Yard to the park.

“These are major infrastructure developments for our region to drive creation of new jobs and economic growth for more than 20 years.

“It will give us capacity to attract new business and new industry and that means new jobs for our community – it’s a real game changer for the local economy.”

The new roundabout will have five legs. One will give direct access to the Tamworth Global gateway Park on the north of the intersection. One will be a realignment of New Winton Road to provide access from Tamworth Regional Airport to the Oxley Highway at the roundabout. One will be to Country Road which is the location of the Hunter Land project known as Tamworth Business Park. The other two are the Gunnedah-bound and Tamworth-bound stretches of the Oxley Highway.

The roundabout is also the anchor point for the proposed future southern bypass road which will link the Oxley Highway with the New England Highway using Country Road and Burgmanns Lane.

Cr Murray said the precinct projects have secured $34.4 million in NSW and Australian government funding with Council contributing $4.96 million. “This is a great investment which will bring benefits to our community for decades to come,” he said.

Construction of the roundabout is scheduled for completion in July 2021.