Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth
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
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If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
Project updates
- 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
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.
Review of environmental factors
- 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).
Reports
- 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
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