Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth

We have been continuing to investigate potential staged options for the Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade between Jack Smyth Drive and Calala Lane.

Transport for NSW has been working closely with Tamworth Regional Council to ensure the project aligns with current and future traffic growth.

A preferred option for the priority first stage has been identified as the northern section.

The northern option - between Craigends Lane and Calala Lane - was identified as the priority stage to upgrade first, having larger traffic volumes than the southern section.

How can I provide feedback:

Send your comments to:

goonoogoonooupgrade@transport.nsw.gov.au

or call: 1800 947 911.

For more information, please see the August project update (PDF, 593.31 KB).

Transport is investigating potential staging options to construct the upgrade including assessing the priority of intersection upgrades along the route.

In preparation for major work to start, 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.

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.

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.

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

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, 12.06 MB).

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

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

• August 2024 project update (PDF, 593.31 KB)
  Preferred option identified
• January 2023 community notification (PDF, 454.1 KB)
  Start of early work on the New England Highway Goonoo Goonoo Road duplication.
• November 2021 project update (PDF, 12.06 MB)
  Have your say – Review of Environmental Factors and refined concept design.
• March 2021 project update
• Proposed improvements to Goonoo Goonoo Road (New England Highway) in Tamworth.

• November 2021 review of environmental factors

  Proposed improvements - Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth.

• Appendix C

  Consultation Report.

• Appendix D

  Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report.

• Appendix E

  Noise and Vibration Assessment.

• Appendix F

  Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment.

• Appendix G

  Biodiversity Assessment Report.

• Appendix H

  Stage 1 Preliminary Site Investigation (contamination).

• Submissions Report June 2022
• Concept design consultation summary report - June 2021
• Concept design consultation summary report - Appendix 1 - Project update
• Concept design consultation summary report - Appendix 2 - online survey
• March 2021 project update - Release of concept design
• March 2021 concept design

• 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.