Gillespie Dam Road Opens Giving Local Residents Safer Access to Millmerran

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Mayor Paul Antonio is thrilled at the outcome of a joint project between the Millmerran Power Station and Toowoomba Regional Council to upgrade Gillespie Dam Road.

The opening of the upgraded road follows the closure of Kooroongarra Road from Millmerran-Inglewood Road to Foxwood Road in April last year to allow operations to continue at the mining site.

“Council worked closely with Millmerran Power to allow operations to continue at the mining site whilst ensuring the best possible outcome for the community” Mayor Antonio said.

As part of this significant infrastructure project, a total of 6km of Gillespie Dam Road was upgraded from gravel to seal (including a new Rabbit Board grid), selected sections of Owens Scrub Road were widened and the intersection of Gillespie Dam Road and Koorangarra Road was improved.

“The $4.5 million dollar project was constructed by Council’s local Construction and Maintenance team and utilised locally produced pavement materials”.

“Council is appreciative of the funding provided by the Millmerran Power Station, the input from our local community and the consideration of the community during the construction of this project,” Mayor Antonio concluded

Millmerran Power Plant Manager, Chris Seydel, said he was pleased to have been able to ensure the local community has safe and improved bitumen road access to Millmerran.

“In 1999, the old section of Kooroongarra Road was identified for closure after 15 years of production to enable continued mining operations.”

“Its closure provided an opportunity for Millmerran Power Station to work with the Toowoomba Regional Council to deliver this new road project opened today”, he said.

“We too are grateful for the cooperation of the local community throughout the life of the project.”