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 benefits of the Tooraweenah Road upgrade are:

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

What is happening now?

Council is completing the Review of Environmental Factors (REF), which is the planning pathway used to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed works in accordance with Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act).

In preparing the REF, some of the activities that have been happening include:

• a survey of the road
• identification of any utility services such as power and water
• biodiversity study to understand impacts on plants and animals
• hydrology studies to understand the movement of surface water and the impacts of flooding.

We have also recently consulted with the community and residents of Tooraweenah Road, to get their feedback on the proposed minor increases in the height of the road.

What is happening next?

Council will be completing some of the assessed low impact works before the end of 2025.

Preparations are underway to commence the tender process for the construction partner. The tender process is quite lengthy and reflects the necessary protocol needed for a $41.2 million project. We are currently preparing the tender scope and necessary documentation, before commencing a 6-week advertising period, and we estimate that from the time we commence advertising, it could take up to 16 weeks until a contract is in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

(please click on the question to reveal the answer)

• When is the road upgrade starting?

  Subject to approvals, low-impact early works—such as survey, vegetation trimming, or utility relocations—may start towards the end of 2025. Major construction activities will follow, once the main contractor has been appointed.

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

  Once the main contractor has been engaged, 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?

  The road will be upgraded in a dual-delivery model, with works undertaken by both the appointed contractor and Council's internal teams. Council has engaged Projence to oversee the entire project, including coordination of both contractor and Council-delivered works.

• 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 modelling, 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

Tooraweenah Road Project - Residents' Update - June 2025