GREATER Taree City Council awaits a response from the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development to the request to transfer $10 million flagged for the Northern Gateway Project to the Taree Roads and Bridges Project.
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On June 13 council's acting mayor, Robyn Jenkins and general manager, Gerard José signed the letter which stated: "At an extraordinary meeting on 4 June 2014, council determined that, unless a formal commitment was received from the NSW State Government by 13 June 2014 for a $7.5 million co-contribution to the Northern Gateway Project, a formal request would be made asking for your agreement to transfer the $10 million previously allocated by the federal government to this project to the Taree Roads and Bridges Project.
"As at 4pm today no such advice has been received. Therefore, we now request your consideration of the proposed transfer of funds. We understand the Member for Lyne Dr Gillespie has, for several weeks, been discussing the issue with your office and his support is sincerely appreciated.
"Council remains committed to working on an improved project plan for an intermodal transport hub for the Manning Valley region and will invite Dr Gillespie to be represented on the new working party. We would welcome your earliest advice regarding this request."
A copy of the letter was sent to Dr Gillespie, Manning Valley Business Chamber and the Economic Development Partnership Board.
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss is the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development and during his visit to Taree on March 13 he met with representatives of council to discuss the issue of roads and bridges funding and also visited Dickensons Creek Bridge in Moto.
During his visit he was questioned about the $10 million after there had been suggestions that the funds should be transferred to cover the loss of the roads and bridges funding.
"If the Gateway proceeds, we will honour it," Mr Truss said.