RE-OPENING OF KEY REGIONAL ROUTE

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer and Member for Oxley Michael Kemp are pressing the NSW Government for answers on when the Oxley Highway will be reopened with ongoing delays continuing to cripple small communities.

The major road has been shut following May’s wet weather event which saw 100 new landslips between the Forbes River and Clay Road.

The closure, followed by the uncertainty around when it will be re-opening, has left small businesses, transport operators and tourists struggling.

Mr Moylan has been in contact with the NSW Government to ask for urgent clarity on the situation.

“I have contacted Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison seeking answers on when the Oxley Highway will be accessible to motorists,” he said.

“Every day it remains closed is a roadblock to recovery for our communities and businesses who have been impacted by the road closures, this road needs to be fixed and opened as soon as possible.

Mr Dwyer said the closure of Oxley Highway severs an important link between the coast and the rest of NSW.

“The economic toll on our region from the Oxley Highway being shut is worsening by the week,” he said.

“It is a vital regional highway which connects goods, services, agriculture, trade and tourism between the Mid North Coast, the New England and beyond.”

Mr Kemp said farmers are also struggling with longer travel times for livestock and produce.

“The closure of the Oxley Highway is detrimental to agricultural industries by disrupting the freight of livestock and goods. This impacts farmers’ abilities to operate effectively, and costs more in time and money.

“The Government needs to prioritise the re-opening of this road.”

MEDIA:

Brendan Moylan | Ellen Dunger | 6772 5552

Robert Dwyer | Electorate Office | 6584 0977

Michael Kemp | Isabella Hey | 0497 603 515

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