KEVIN Anderson has promised $13 million worth of upgrades to the electorate's two busiest roads and to "investigate" a new school for Tamworth, if he is re-elected in three weeks time.
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The Tamworth MP made the commitment at the opening of his Peel Street campaign office on Monday, admitting he had a fight on his hands.
"We're stripping this right back to basics, we are going very hard," he said.
If Mr Anderson and the Coalition are re-elected, he's promised a $3-million upgrade to Goonoo Goonoo Road, duplicating the 1.5-kilometre stretch along the Longyard precinct.
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"We started the ball rolling with $152,000 in design funding I announced in early December, so this further funding of $3 million will really get the ball rolling and make this project a reality," he said.
Another $10 million was promised to upgrade the section of Werris Creek Road around Duri.
Mr Anderson's rival candidates have made the upgrade of the two roads an election issue, putting pressure on the government to come up with a solution.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Jeff Bacon has made Werris Creek Road a key part of his election platform, while independent Mark Rodda has pushed for a Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade.
Mr Anderson promised to seal Rangari Road, which links Manilla and Boggabri, however did not put a figure on the commitment.
"We'll work with Tamworth and Gunnedah councils to deliver that road, and we'll be guided by the costings they've already got in place," he said.
Mr Anderson also said the time had come for Tamworth to get a new school, as the city's "population grows and our schools reach capacity".
"I'll be investigating what that school looks like and the location for it," he said.
Mr Anderson said there would be further announcements about health infrastructure in the coming days.
Polling by The Leader indicated health was the number one concern of voters within the electorate.
Mr Anderson will also face competition from Labor's Stephen Mears, the Greens' Robin Gunning and the Animal Justice Party's Emma Hall.
The Tamworth pre-polling office, located at 247 Peel Street, will open on Monday, March 11.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
