Received

Australia's longest road tunnel is set for the Blue Mountains as part of upgrades to better connect western NSW to the state's coastal capital.

The planned 11-kilometre tunnel will stretch from Blackheath to Little Hartley, bypassing Mount Victoria.

It's part of upgrades to the Great Western Highway that NSW Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway says will save drivers 30 minutes on a peak-period trip between Lithgow and Katoomba, a drive that currently takes about 45 minutes.

"It's record breaking, it's history making and will revolutionise travel from the east to the west," Mr Farraway said on Sunday.

The toll-free tunnel is now the preferred option for connecting the two villages following feasibility investigations that began in May last year, Regional NSW Minister and Deputy Premier Paul Toole said.

"This is a complex, ambitious plan but we're on track for shovels to hit the ground on the east and west stages of the upgrade early next year," he said.

The proposal includes dual carriageways in separate twin tunnels.

Other proposed upgrades including widening the highway between Katoomba and Blackheath, new bridges, and active transport links.

The tunnel will provide a safer path through the Blue Mountains, Mr Farraway says, keeping traffic moving when crashes and natural disasters can cause the current roads to close.

He says the upgrades and improved travel times will also boost economic development and population growth west of the mountains.

The project could provide up to 3900 full-time equivalent jobs during the five-year construction phase.

Australia's longest road tunnel is currently the M8 tunnel, part of Sydney's WestConnex project.

Like WestConnex, the Great Western Highway upgrade is being jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments to the tune of $4.5 billion.

Transport for NSW is running consultation with locals and traditional custodians including the Wiradjuri, Dharug and Gundungurra communities through face-to-face and online sessions in the coming weeks.

A formal consultation period will follow later in the year following the exhibition of the tunnel's environmental impact assessment.

© AAP 2022

Former Australian Test cricketer Andrew Symonds has been killed in a Queensland car crash.

The 46-year-old was involved in a single-vehicle crash late on Saturday.

Police are investigating the crash, which occurred at Hervey Range, about 50km from Townsville.

"Early information indicates, shortly after 11pm the car was being driven on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge when it left the roadway and rolled," Queensland Police said in a statement.

"Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries."

Andrews' family has asked for privacy.

Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson described Symonds as a "generational talent".

"He was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends," Henderson said in a statement on Sunday.

Former Australian captain Allan Border paid tribute to Symonds, who played 26 Tests for Australia and was a crowd favourite in the short format game as a big-hitting allrounder.

"He hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain. He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer," Border told the Nine Network.

In recent years Symonds had worked as a TV commentator for Fox Sports and was a regular on the microphone for Big Bash League broadcasts.

"He was an adventurer. Loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping," Border said of Symonds.

Symonds, nicknamed "Roy", was charismatic on the field, often wearing zinc cream and at times sporting dreadlocks.

"People liked his very laid-back style," Border said.

"He lived in Townsville. When I spoke to him, I think he still had a hundred head of cattle he used to muster.

"Symo away from the cameras and away from the spotlight, loved, I think, a bit of solitude and that is why he loved his fishing. Loved his own time."

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist tweeted "This really hurts. #roy #rip".

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan wrote: "Simmo .. This doesn't feel real .. #RIP".

Symonds' death follows the shock demise of cricketing peer Shane Warne, who died in March in Thailand.

© AAP 2022

Global tributes have followed the death of former Australian Test cricketer Andrew Symonds, killed when his vehicle rolled off a rural road in Far North Queensland.

Nearby residents rushed to help the 46-year-old after hearing the crash late on Saturday night. He could not be revived.

"The cause of the accident hasn't been established," police Inspector Gavin Oates said on Sunday, confirming that the driver was flung from the vehicle when it rolled.

It's believed Symonds was driving on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge about 50km northwest of Townsville, when his vehicle left the road. Police said there were animals travelling in the rear of the vehicle who were later cared for by friends and relatives.

Andrews' family has asked for privacy.

Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson described Symonds as a "generational talent".

"He was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends," Henderson said in a statement on Sunday.

Former Australian captain Allan Border paid tribute to Symonds, who played 26 Tests for Australia and was a crowd favourite in the short format game as a big-hitting allrounder.

"He hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain. He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer," Border told the Nine Network.

In recent years Symonds had worked as a TV commentator for Fox Sports and was a regular on the microphone for Big Bash League broadcasts.

"He was an adventurer. Loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping," Border said of Symonds.

Symonds, nicknamed "Roy", was charismatic on the field, often wearing zinc cream and at times sporting dreadlocks.

"People liked his very laid-back style," Border said.

"He lived in Townsville. When I spoke to him, I think he still had a hundred head of cattle he used to muster.

"Symo away from the cameras and away from the spotlight, loved, I think, a bit of solitude and that is why he loved his fishing. Loved his own time."

Symonds' death follows the shock demise of cricketing peer Shane Warne, who died in March in Thailand. Sunday's news prompted a wave of tributes.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist tweeted "This really hurts. #roy #rip".

Another former teammate Greg Matthews offered: "such a pure man, so genuine, so earthy ... so humble! G, another brother leaves us #rip".

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan wrote: "Simmo .. This doesn't feel real .. #RIP".

Crash investigators will prepare a report for the coroner into Symonds' crash.

© AAP 2022