A Visit to the Newell Highway Upgrade

On Friday, I had the honour of visiting the hardworking Fulton Hogan team on the Newell Highway upgrade between Narrabri and Moree. As the largest-ever upgrade along this critical freight corridor, the project is delivering over 20 kilometres of new road pavement, intersection improvements, wider road shoulders, and five additional overtaking lanes. These changes will make the route safer and more efficient for everyone who travels it.

I was thrilled to present Why Safety Matters (WSM) to 70 attendees as part of a critical safety initiative ahead of the holiday season. It was the perfect moment for a safety reset, encouraging the team to refocus on their mindset and reinforce their commitment to excellence as we approach Christmas. The positive engagement during the session in Bellata, paired with a BBQ and open discussions, created an uplifting and memorable experience for all involved.

The dedication of the Fulton Hogan team to completing this project safely and successfully is inspiring. Their focus on safety sets a powerful standard for the entire industry, proving that quality work and care for one another go hand in hand.

A huge thank you to Tim Dyball for inviting WSM to this project, Brooke Emment and Shane Hassett from Fulton Hogan, Justin Moore and Natasha Waeger from TfNSW, and George Warrener (section 1 lead) and Morgan Lashbrook (section 2 lead) for their hospitality and for showing Jess and me around the project sites. To everyone involved, thank you for the warm welcome and for prioritising safety at every step.

Let’s keep driving this focus on safety forward as we head into the holiday season. Your hard work is making a real difference—for this project, the industry, and the entire community.

Take care, stay safe, and finish strong!