Kirkwood Road is set to be extended from the Pacific Highway to Minjungbal Drive following a $6.5 million injection of funds from the State Government.
NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay and Member for Tweed Geoff Provest officially announced the $6.5 million contribution to Tweed Shire Council for road last week.
Mr Gay and Mr Provest also announced two successful grant applications, worth $43,925, for boating infrastructure funding in the Tweed.
“I’m very pleased to be here with the hard working local Member and the Tweed Shire Council to announce this important funding,” said Mr Gay during his visit.
“Kirkwood Road is a vital link and has long been an important issue for this community; which is why we have provided $6.5 million to Tweed Shire Council to get started on work.
“During the consultation phase for the Banora Point Pacific Highway upgrade the community clearly asked for a connection to Kirkwood Road from the highway to be built as a priority.
“As part of this extension, ramps will be built on the eastern side of the highway and will allow traffic to enter the South Tweed business from the north. These ramps will form part of the future Kirkwood Road interchange.”
Work to build the first stage of the interchange will be carried out by Tweed Shire Council. A contractor has been selected and work is due to start in early 2012 and be completed in mid-2013, weather permitting.
Mr Provest said the RMS Better Boating Program (BBP) funding allocation for 2011/12 had included a $37,000 grant to the Tweed Shire Council for the Lakes Drive pontoon replacement at Tweed Heads.
“I know the community will welcome this news, as well as the announcement of a $6,925 BBP grant, awarded to the Tweed Marine Industry Association for the refurbishment of their existing slipway at Terranora Terrace,” said Mr Provest.
The Tweed Shire Council project will involve the installation of a new pontoon facility to replace the previous modular pontoon that was damaged due to flood flows in 2011.
“The new pontoon will be more robust – including a concrete deck and an aluminium gangway which will benefit local boaters, especially recreational fishers accessing the river by boat,” said Mr Provest.
“The Tweed Marine Industry Association Better Boating Program grant funding will go towards refurbishment of the slipway cradle – to ensure the survival of the only slipway in the Tweed Heads area.
“The existing slipway cradle will be disassembled and degreased, with the slipway parts to be taken off-site for abrasive blasting and painting with a three-coat system to prolong the life and prevent further deterioration from the harsh marine environment.”
More information at http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/mpd/infra_grants.html.
