Rangari Road could soon be in the hands of the state government, after getting a special mention in the new NSW Governor's speech opening Parliament on Tuesday.
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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said after a meeting with representatives from Gunnedah, Tamworth, Liverpool Plains Shire Council and the NSW government was held, Rangari Road may be the responsibility of the latter.
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"What we'll be doing to assist councils to maintain roads is [offloading] that road to become a state government responsibility, and it will ease the cost and associated dramas with council funding," Mr Anderson said.
"The panel meeting will talk directly to councils about which roads in Gunnedah, Tamworth and Liverpool Plains Shire that they may not want to keep, that cause grief with maintenance.
"They can say, 'State government, you can have that road,' and we'll be responsible for maintaining them."
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said he was excited to meet with Mr Anderson to discuss the future of Rangari Road.
"It was great to see the election commitment to seal the road between Manilla and Boggabri has been confirmed, and I look forward to meeting with our local member to talk about how and when it will be delivered," Cr Chaffey said.
They can say, 'State government, you can have that road,' and we'll be responsible for maintaining them
- Kevin Anderson, Tamworth MP
NSW Governor Margaret Beazley's speech to Tuesday's assembly outlined the government's plans for the next four years and road connectivity was "a top priority for our regions".
"I've fought hard for the upgrading and sealing of Rangari Road and now it is at the centre of the NSW government's roadworks plans," Mr Anderson said.
"Rangari Road ... will be part of the 15,000 kilometres of council-maintained roads to be reclaimed and transferred to the state's Regional Road Network now the government is re-elected."
Mr Anderson said once the upgrade and sealing had been completed, locals and tourists would have a safer travel route and the road would "promote easy access for freight vehicles [and] ... will also reduce the impact of flooding".
The sealing of Rangari Road is estimated to cost $9 million to complete, and has been funded under the $500 million Fixing Local Roads program.
Mr Anderson's other election commitments for regional roads include $10 million for upgrades on the Werris Creek Road, and $3 million for the planning and design to complete the New England Highway duplication on the final 1.5km stretch of the road from Calala Lane to Jack Smyth Drive.
Mr Anderson also pledged $53 million for the upgrade and rebuild of a new Gunnedah hospital.