County Boundary Road
Project category: Roads and freight routes
Status: Completed
Approx. start date: February 2023
Approx. end date: December 2025
Gwydir Shire Council has completed the upgrade and sealing of County Boundary Road, a key freight and agricultural access route in the northern part of the shire. The project was delivered at a total cost of approximately $12.18 million.
The Australian Government has provided funding to support regional road upgrades that improve freight efficiency, community access, and economic resilience across rural NSW. Gwydir Shire Council has prioritised delivering these upgrades as quickly and efficiently as possible to support local industry and strengthen the regional road network.
County Boundary Road is a critical connector for farming properties, livestock transporters, grain producers, and service vehicles. The upgrade has transformed the route from a high‑maintenance unsealed road into a reliable, all‑weather freight corridor. The project significantly improves safety, reduces travel times, and enhances access to major transport links including the Newell Highway and the Inland Rail corridor.
About the upgrade
The County Boundary Road project delivers the following benefits to the community and local industries:
- A fully sealed, all‑weather road surface, reducing closures during wet conditions
- Improved freight efficiency, enabling heavy vehicles to travel safely at higher, consistent speeds
- Reduced maintenance burden for Council, freeing resources for other rural roads
- Safer travel conditions for residents, school buses, farm machinery, and service vehicles
- Enhanced access to regional transport hubs and major freight routes
- Upgraded drainage and causeways, improving flood resilience and reducing washouts
- Future‑proofing the route to support growing agricultural production and emerging industries
Construction and local employment
The County Boundary Road Upgrade generated local employment opportunities throughout the construction period. Council and contractors engaged a range of local and regional workers, including:
- Plant and machinery operators
- Road construction crews
- Traffic controllers
- Surveying and engineering support
- Administration and project management roles
Where possible, Council prioritised local businesses and suppliers, ensuring the project delivered economic benefits across the Gwydir region.
Indigenous Participation
Council made a deliberate effort to maximise Indigenous participation throughout the delivery of the County Boundary Road Upgrade. This included actively seeking opportunities to engage Indigenous owned businesses and create pathways for Indigenous employment within the project.
During the planning and procurement phases, Council encouraged contractors to consider Indigenous engagement as part of their delivery approach.
Despite these efforts, the availability of Indigenous contractors and workers in the local area was limited during the construction period, and Council was not able to secure direct external participation on this project. Opportunities were taken to utilise existing Indigenous staff where their skills aligned with project requirements. This outcome reflects workforce availability rather than a lack of intent or opportunity.
Council remains committed to improving Indigenous participation outcomes on future projects and will continue to pursue opportunities to engage Indigenous businesses and workers as they become available.
Project location
County Boundary Road is located in the northern part of Gwydir Shire, connecting rural properties and agricultural enterprises to key regional transport corridors. The upgraded route now provides a safer, more reliable link between farming districts, nearby towns, and major freight networks.