I refer to the letter to The Leader titled "Project well under way", Monday 4 December 2017 regarding the upgrade of the section of New England Highway between Calala Lane and Greg Norman Drive.
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I am confident someone has misconstrued my comments appearing in the original story of The Leader on Thursday 29 November 2017.
If the project was indeed well under way there would have been little reason to complain about the road’s condition, as I did last Thursday.
I would like to make it clear, that at no time was I critical of Council for the condition of this road.
I was well aware that the section of road is under the jurisdiction of the NSW Government and not Council as confirmed in the Thursday story and Monday’s letter, and also very well aware that Tamworth Regional Council has taken the initiative to hopefully fast track the project by expending ratepayers' funds on survey and design work.
This work will not come cheaply and I would hope that Council will be reimbursed the full cost of those works when the State Government makes a funding announcement for the entire project at some time in the near future which we are reliably informed by Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson is "next on the list".
I would just like to see the project expedited because some people have been waiting a very long time.
I was also ecstatic to learn that Port Stephens Cutting at Ogunbil and Rangari Road between Manilla and Boggabri are also to receive State Government funding very soon.
These roads represent a dangerous hazard to the community and road users too.
I also join the Mayor to commend Council staff on the proactive approach they are taking to bring these important projects to fruition.
I am confident that your readers will agree with me that we should not be funding road upgrades from ratepayer revenues that are the responsibility of one of the other tiers of government.
Mark Rodda
Tamworth