Two more deaths again highlight need for Warrell Creek to Urunga to be funding priority

January 9, 2012

The tragic death of two people as a result of the weekend’s accident on the Pacific Highway again highlights why the Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade must be the next funding priority of the highway duplication, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today.

“Our thoughts and payers reach out to the families and friends who have been affected by this tragic accident,” Mr Hartsuyker said. “There is no doubt that Warrell Creek to Urunga is the worst section of road on the Pacific Highway. The statistics spell out why this section of road must be the funding priority.  More than 25 people have lost their lives there over the past five years. At the end of 2011 we saw a fatality at Warrell Creek and we also saw a semi trailer end up in the Nambucca River after an accident near the Macksville Bridge.

“The death of this young boy and the driver of a utility re-affirms why semi trailers travelling through local communities is just a disaster waiting to happen.  Surely the priority of any allocation of funds for the Pacific Highway must focus on road safety and those blackspots where lives are being lost. According to a survey completed by the NRMA in 2011 the section of highway between Warrell Creek and Urunga was identified as the worst in the State.  As I have repeatedly said, there are lessons to be learnt from the completion of the Bonville Deviation just south of Coffs Harbour.  Numerous lives were lost prior to the completion of the Bonville project, but since its completion there has hardly been an accident on that section of road.

“It is clear that since the completion of the Bonville Deviation the new fatigue zone and accident blackspot is between Urunga and Warrell Creek. That is why I once again call on the State and Federal Governments to make Warrell Creek to Urunga the next project to receive Government funding. I have previously written to both the Federal Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Anthony Albanese and the Deputy Premier and State Minister for Regional Infrastructure Andrew Stoner on this matter and I trust this latest accident will remind them of the treacherous conditions on this section of the highway.”