New NSW framework gives councils clearer guidance to manage, maintain and prioritise roads
Potholes, crumbling surfaces and unsafe roads could soon become a thing of the past, with NSW councils set to get a clearer, fairer way to manage and maintain the state’s roads.
NSW councils will soon have a clearer way to manage and maintain roads under a major reform announced by the Minns Labor Government today.
The move comes as councils struggle with worn surfaces, potholes, and other maintenance headaches, aiming to make roads safer and more reliable for drivers across the state.
The new road recategorisation system aims to ensure roads are correctly classified as State, Regional, or Local, allowing investment to be better targeted where communities need it most.
Road recategorisation determines who is responsible for a road’s maintenance and funding, and how it fits into the wider transport network.
Until now, the process had no formal framework, leaving many roads classified based on decades-old usage despite changes in population, traffic volumes, and freight movement.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said drives “don’t care” which level of government manages a road.
“They care that it’s safe, accessible and well maintained,” Ms Aitchison said.
“From today, decisions will be driven by evidence and need, not politics or outdated processes.”
Under the former system, road recategorisation often faced delays, with reports sometimes remaining on desks for months before action.
This led to growing backlogs and increased pressure on councils, which manage around 90 per cent of NSW’s road network and contend with challenges from natural disasters, climate change, and rising construction costs.
The new framework replaces the ad hoc system with a consistent, evidence-based model.
Key features of the new system include clear statewide criteria to support consistent, needs-based decisions, along with an always-open application pathway that replaces the previous decade-long review cycles.
Councils will also have access to a new online self-assessment tool to quickly determine whether their proposals are likely to meet the criteria.
The framework prioritises roads that are critical for housing, freight efficiency, resilience, and the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said the reforms are about strengthening the partnership between State and local government and making sure the “right roads sit in the right category”.
“This change will make a significant difference for councils, especially those in regional and rural NSW, where roads aren’t just a means to get from A to B. They’re a lifeline for these communities,” Mr Hoenig said.
The system also includes regular reviews at three months, six months, and annually to ensure the model remains responsive and effective.
Rick Firman, chairman of the Country Mayors Association of NSW, welcomed the reform, calling it “a major step forward” for regional and rural councils, who have been managing “enormous road networks with limited resources and increasingly severe weather impacts”.
“Being able to apply at any time, backed by clear criteria and data, is a major improvement. It will help councils plan, budget and deliver work more efficiently for their communities,” Mr Firman said.
With the new online portal now live, councils and road managers can submit proposals for recategorisation immediately.
