Tooraweenah Road Upgrade

Tooraweenah Road provides a direct route between Coonamble and the Warrumbungles and is currently made up of around 30km of sealed road and 27km of unsealed road.

The Tooraweenah Road Upgrade Project includes road sealing and remediation, culvert upgrades and improving flood resilience across the 27km of unsealed road.

The Australian Government has committed a total of $41.2 million towards the project as part of the Investment Road and Rail Program.

Benefits

The Tooraweenah Road upgrade will deliver:

• improved freight and tourism access to Coonamble
• improved road safety
• reduced travel times for all road users
• flood resilience.

What is happening now?

The Tooraweenah Road Upgrade has now moved into the construction phase.

Following completion of planning, approvals and procurement, a construction contractor has been appointed, and works are commencing on site from Monday 4 May.

The approved hours of work are:

• Mon to Fri: 7am to 6pm
• Sat: 7am to 6pm

As construction activities commence, there will be increased machinery and truck movements on the road and traffic controls will be in place as required.

Early construction activities include:

• Clearing and grubbing which is getting the road and construction area ready
• Moving some of the pipes to locations along the road for future installation

What is happening next?

As construction gets underway, Council and the project team will continue to work closely with residents and landholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

(please click on the question to reveal the answer)

• When is the road upgrade starting?

  Construction has now commenced, with early works underway. Major construction activities will progressively ramp up as the project is completed.

• How long will the road upgrade work take from start to finish?

  The full road upgrade is expected to be completed by late 2027, subject to weather conditions and site access.

• Who is building the upgraded road?

  Council has appointed Maas Civil Pty Ltd to deliver the upgrade, working alongside Council and the project management team

• The road is often impacted by flooding. Will the upgrade make the road 100% flood-proof?

  No. While the upgraded road will not be entirely flood-proof, the design has been informed by detailed flood modeling, with the location and size of the culverts carefully planned to improve drainage and reduce the frequency and duration of flood-related impacts on the road.

• The road provides critical access for farmers during harvest. How will access be managed?

  The project team will work closely with residents along Tooraweenah Road to identify critical periods, such as harvest and livestock movements. Where possible, construction activities will be scheduled to minimise disruption and alternative access solutions, such as temporary road diversions or staged works, will be implemented to maintain access during key times.

• Is there opportunity for local contractors or businesses to be involved with the project?

  Wherever possible, the project team is committed to engaging local contractors, suppliers, and service providers to support the delivery of the road upgrade. Opportunities will be shared in accordance with Council policy through Council’s procurement processes and advertising.

• I am a resident on Tooraweenah Road, how will you keep me updated on what is happening?

  Residents will be kept informed through regular project updates, which may include newsletters, letterbox drops, emails, and on-site signage. The project team will also provide direct communication ahead of any works that may affect access to individual properties. This website will be updated throughout the life of the project.

Project updates