South Tweed Heads businesses that looked set to be bypassed by the new Banora Point section of the Pacific Highway can now breathe a sight of relief following a $6.5 million grant to Tweed Shire Council to extend Kirkwood Road from the highway to Minjungbal Drive.
The funding was announced by NSW minister for roads and ports Duncan Gay and member for Tweed Geoff Provest yesterday.
‘During the consultation phase for the Banora Point upgrade the community clearly asked for a connection to Kirkwood Road from the highway to be built as a priority,’ Mr Gay said
‘As part of this extension, ramps will be built on the eastern side of the highway and will allow traffic to enter the South Tweed business area from the north. These ramps will form part of the future Kirkwood Road interchange.’
Work to build the first stage of the interchange will be carried out by Tweed Shire Council. A contractor has been selected and work is due to start in early 2012 and be completed in mid-2013, weather permitting.
Boating improvements
Mr Gay and Mr Provest also announced two successful grant applications, totalling $43,925, for boating infrastructure funding in the region.
Mr Provest said the RMS Better Boating Program (BBP) funding allocation for 2011/12 had included a $37,000 grant to the Tweed Shire Council for the Lakes Drive pontoon replacement at Tweed Heads.
‘I know the community will welcome this news, as well as the announcement of a $6,925 BBP grant, awarded to the Tweed Marine Industry Association for the refurbishment of their existing slipway at Terranora Terrace,’ said Mr Provest.
More information at http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/mpd/infra_grants.html.
