FULL LIST: State government reveals pothole repair funding allocations for regional NSW councils
The NSW Government has announced the funding allocations for regional councils to repair pothole-ridden roads. See how much your council will receive.
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The state government has revealed the funding allocations for a number of regional NSW councils to repair pothole-ridden roads, with the cash set to drop into accounts imminently.
In total, 93 regional councils will receive a slice of a $280m pothole-plugger fund from the state government’s Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
The program, which is on top of an initial $50m injection announced in November, is designed to help fill around 420,000 potholes on council-owned and managed roads.
There are some big winners across regional NSW with Ballina Shire Council to pocket $1.3m, Byron Shire Council $1.1m, Lismore $2.2m, and Wagga $4.2m, among others.
Forbes Shire mayor Phyllis Miller said her council secured more than $3m to help with the mammoth task of repairing their local road network.
“The Forbes community is strong and resilient and we want our road network to be safe,” Ms Miller said.
Lachlan Shire mayor John Medcalf, whose council’s road network spans 3982km, said the assistance was welcomed and required for such a large area.
“The money will be spent on urgent road repairs, priority corrective maintenance and pothole repairs,” he said.
“We have a huge job ahead of us, and with the state government easing the financial burden we can concentrate on providing the manpower and resources to get the job done.”
NSW Road Freight CEO Simon O’Hara said the organisation had written to both the state government and opposition, articulating how remedied roads would aid the freight industry.
“Over the last few years, Australia’s supply chain took a hit with so many roads closed due to bushfires, flooding and diversions in place,” Mr O’Hara said.
“Every 100km out of a truck driver’s way costs over $300, and helping councils to build and repair the infrastructure that reduces travel for the freight industry will ultimately lower costs for families and deliver safer roads for everyone.”
Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said funding deeds were sent to councils on Wednesday, to ensure the cash landed in bank accounts as soon as possible.
“Our freight industry, local communities, tourists and everyone who uses our road network will start to see the immediate benefits of these road repairs, with smoother, safer journeys,” he said.
The minister said the latest funding tranche came on the back of discussions with councils who pleaded for assistance to address issues across their road networks.
“We listened and we are delivering an additional $280 million for regional councils, we also provided cash advancements for emergency disaster funding to eligible councils and have diverted Transport for NSW road crews to help fix local roads,” he said.
“Thanks to this injection of funds councils can plan and undertake work now to restore roads and help protect against recurring problems.”
Crews have patched more than 220,000 potholes over the last 12 months on state-owned roads, with the latest funding designed to now remedy council-owned roads.
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Originally published as FULL LIST: State government reveals pothole repair funding allocations for regional NSW councils
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