By TANIA PHILLIPS
UP TO 50 local residents were on hand to celebrate the official opening of 11.3 kilometres of safety upgrades on the Mt Lindesay Road between Legume and Woodenbong last week.
The residents were joined by members of the Tenterfield Shire Council and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay, who performed the opening.
Mr Gay was joined by Member for Lismore Thomas George, Tenterfield Mayor Peter Petty and council GM Lotta Jackson and Director of Engineering Services Stephen Bell.
The works were part of a $4 million project, with the NSW State Government putting in $2.63 million and Tenterfield Shire Council contributing $750,000.
Tenterfield Shire Council Mayor Peter Petty was encouraged by the turn-out of local community members to witness the Minister officially opening this section of road.
“It was great to see,” the mayor said.
“The community showed its support for the Minister and our local member for the work they have done to date. The road still requires $8 million urgently and we await the Federal Government to at least match the amount the State Government has provided.”
Members of the Legume to Woodenbong Road Alliance, including Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland and Cr Lindsay Passfield and members of the Richmond Valley Council also joined the gathering in celebration.
In honour of Les Watson, past patron of the Downs to Rivers Action Committee, Watson J and Sons Bus Service of Woodenbong supplied a 43-seater bus free of charge to transport people from Woodenbong to the opening.
