Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth

Reviewed

Project overview

The Australian and NSW Governments are investing $40 million for the duplication of Goonoo Goonoo Road (New England Highway) between Jack Smyth Drive and Calala Lane in Tamworth.

Latest news

Jan 2023 - Early work underway

In preparation for major work to start on the upgrade in December 2024, Transport for NSW has started early work activities.

These activities include building around 48 metres of shared path on the western side of Goonoo Goonoo Road, installing new line marking for the shared path, relocating services and minor vegetation clearing.

More information is available in our January 2023 notification (PDF, 454.1 KB).

Project information

Background

In March 2019, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson announced a commitment towards planning for the duplication of the section of Goonoo Goonoo Road (New England Highway) between Jack Smyth Drive and Calala Lane. This 1.6 kilometre section of Goonoo Goonoo Road is a pinch point on the New England Highway in Tamworth and is the last length of single lane carriageway on Goonoo Goonoo Road. This project is identified as a priority project in the Namoi Road Network Plan.

Goonoo Goonoo Road is an important part of the Tamworth road network, providing a gateway to the city's entertainment and equestrian precinct, and is a vital link between the regional city and its surrounding towns and villages. Transport and Tamworth Regional Council have carried out investigations, including traffic modelling, over the past two years to assess the performance of this section of road.

Transport for NSW is planning to start major work on the upgrade in December 2024, weather permitting.

Benefits

Key benefits of the project include reducing travel times for road users, making road trips more reliable for people, business and freight, improving safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists and providing a road network which facilitates both local access and regional connectivity.

Project objectives

Key objectives for the project include supporting economic growth, providing a safer network for travel and improving efficiency, access and connectivity.

Community consultation

The community were invited to comment on the concept design and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) in March 2021.

During the consultation period, 275 submissions were received relating to the use of roundabouts and traffic lights at intersections.

Following the public display of the draft concept design, Transport reviewed the submissions and acted on a number of comments provided. These were reflected in a refined concept design and REF, which was displayed for comment in November and December 2021. The refined concept design can be viewed in the November 2021 project update (PDF, 1.84 MB).

A community consultation summary report was published in March 2021 in response to the consultation carried out.

Next steps

We will provide the community with an updated about the start of major work on the project once the work schedule has been finalised.

Project documents

Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).

If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.

 

Project updates

Review of environmental factors

Reports

Media releases

  • 30 January 2023
    Ready set go on Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade
  • 16 November 2021
    Locals invited to have their say on concept design for Goonoo Goonoo Road.
  • 24 September 2021
    Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade progressing.
  • 17 June 2021
    Locals heard on Goonoo Goonoo Road.
  • 28 April 2021
    Tamworth helps shape Goonoo Goonoo Road.
  • 8 March 2021
    Have your say on Goonoo Goonoo Rd concept design.

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Phone: 1800 947 911

Email: ric.church@transport.nsw.gov.au