We have been progressing plans for the development of the Thurgoona Link Road Project to provide the transport infrastructure needed to meet the rapid growth of Thurgoona-Wirlinga in the years ahead.
In 2008, Thurgoona-Wirlinga was identified as a key residential growth area which could allow for an additional 16,000 dwellings to be built over the coming 40 years. The Thurgoona Link Road project is part of the wider Thurgoona-Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan that was prepared in 2013 and is currently being reviewed and planned for completion in mid 2025. The road network will ultimately support growth along its entire length through delivery of critical, backbone infrastructure to enable the development of AlburyCity’s principal residential growth area. Guided by the Thurgoona-Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan, this area is proposed to support most of AlburyCity’s population growth over the next 40 years, equating to approximately an additional 40,000 people.
This project is pivotal in supporting the dynamically evolving growth area by not just aiming to enhance connectivity and reduce traffic congestion but to redefine the region's infrastructure landscape. It represents a proactive response to the challenges faced by the community and aligns with a vision of sustainable development.
This transformative initiative seeks to not only extend Thurgoona's road network but will also provide corridors to allow for the expansion of Albury’s critical Water and Wastewater network to service the growth area. Split into five strategic stages, the Thurgoona Link Road Project connects critical road network arteries such as Kerr Road, Table Top Road, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, and the Davey Road/Hume Highway Interchange.
The proposed network has been identified as the major linkage that will connect the Thurgoona-Wirlinga growth area to the greater Albury area by transferring traffic north onto the Hume Freeway and providing an east-west connection. It is anticipated that the proposed roads will better distribute traffic across the network thereby reducing congestion experience in some locations during peak periods. This road will allow for the opening of zoned development areas and will reduce congestion in suburban streets now and into the future. The first phase of the project will deliver a two lane two way road, which will be developed in five stages over a 5 year period commencing in 2025. A second phase, adding an additional two lanes, has been planned for and will be constructed as development and traffic needs dictate in the future.
Figure - Thurgoona Link Road - Stage Map
Detailed design of all stages of the project is currently being undertaken, with this component of the project planned for completion by March 2025.
Following this, and pending satisfaction of all required approvals by State and Commonwealth governments, Albury City will initiate planning for the commencement of staged construction of the project.
A very rigorous environmental and heritage assessment process has been undertaken over several years and will include community engagement and opportunities for community submissions in the near future (anticipated for late 2024/early 2025). Work on this process has been completed by expert consultants engaged by AlburyCity, including ecological and cultural heritage consultants who have undertaken detailed environmental and heritage assessments.
These assessments have identified some potentially significant environmental impacts that will require assessment under NSW State legislation and guidelines. The environmental assessment has also been referred to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The application of both State and Commonwealth processes will provide a very robust assessment process including community engagement.
For further information on the EPBC referral and assessment process visit Referrals and environmental assessments under the EPBC Act - DCCEEW
AlburyCity, in September 2024, submitted the required documentation for review and ultimately determination to DCCEEW under the EPBC Act and is currently awaiting the direction to post the referral for community comment.
Following the consultation period any comments received will be considered in the final determination of the referral.
We will be providing information about engagement activities in the future. This will include:
We will provide more information and awareness about future community engagement activities planned as the assessment process progresses.a
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact our Environment team on 02 6023 8111 or email info@alburycity.nsw.gov.au
Images courtesy of Biosis Pty Ltd.
