Torrential rain in 2022 damaged the culvert over Broken Dam Creek on Murrumbateman Road. Photos: Yass Valley Council.
Calls for safety improvements to one of the main roads leading to some of the Yass Valley’s most popular wineries have been answered with $826,536 allocated to upgrade the Murrumbateman Road.
The federal funding from the Road Black Spot Program will be allocated via the Yass Valley Council for what it described as “much-needed safety upgrades” on the road.
The work, scheduled to start in February next year, will include the installation of guideposts and safety barriers as well as upgrades to road shoulders, signage and road reflective markers.
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said although the roadworks would improve safety for all motorists, particularly heavy vehicles servicing the local wineries, it would also benefit visitors to the wineries, farms and the local quarries.
Access to some of the region’s most popular wineries was curtailed in 2022 when the culvert over Broken Dam Creek, on Murrumbateman Road, was damaged in a torrential rainstorm in October.
Although new works were subsequently carried out, another dump of rain damaged the new work and postponed further improvements. With the new completion day moved to March, this again was hit when the contractors advised Yass Valley Council they were short of specialist workers to do the job.
At the time, the council received constant complaints from residents and visitors who said they couldn’t access the popular winery area. Concerned about a significant drop in their business because of the road closure, some of the wineries ended up installing their own signs at Murrumbateman advertising that they were still open.
Ms McBain said improving the safety of Murrumbateman Road was something that local residents and businesses had long called for – particularly after damage from the significant rain events and increased traffic.
Constant heavy rain caused significant damage to the Murrumbateman Road two years ago.
“That’s why I’m proud to deliver $826,536 towards a number of improvements – making it safer for locals to get around and for visitors to experience everything the Murrumbateman region has to offer, including our award-winning wineries,” she said.
“I’ll continue working with Yass Valley Council to support the delivery of priority projects that our community wants to get off the ground.”
Yass Valley Mayor Allan McGrath said the council welcomed the federal funding, “which will ensure we can continue to improve the safety of Murrumbateman Road for locals and the many tourists that flock to this region every weekend”.
“By partnering with the Albanese Government on this project, Yass Valley Council will be able to install new safety barriers, improve signage, and deliver other critical upgrades on Murrumbateman Road that respond to community feedback,” he said.
Since the 2022 flooding, the council has had to deal with 420 sections of damaged road within the region. Many have been fixed, but others have not because they need specialist crews or equipment that hasn’t been available.
Information about current roadworks is available on the council’s website.
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