More roads in the Cootamundra electorate will benefit from round four of the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program. Councils in the electorate have until 2 September to apply for the funding. Photo: Mark Konig.
Councils in the Cootamundra electorate can now apply for round four of a State Government funding program to fix roads that are in line for vital repair, maintenance and sealing work.
The nine local government areas of the electorate have until 2 September to apply for the latest funding from the Fixing Local Roads program.
Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman welcomed the new round of funding, saying maintaining the road network was one of the council’s most significant expenses.
“Without the support of the State Government, we wouldn’t have a great road network that Temora has always had,” Cr Firman said.
“We’re grateful to Minister Cooke (Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke) and the Government for offering these significant fixing country road grants.”
In the previous round of the program, more than $45 million was allocated to Bland Shire, Coolamon Shire, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Cowra Shire, Hilltops Council, Junee Shire, Narrandera Shire, Temora Shire and Weddin Shire to deliver road projects.
Ms Cooke said the electorate had seen crucial road projects supported through every round of the Fixing Local roads program.
“With the fourth round now open, councils in our region have the chance to apply for funding to deliver more,” she said.
“Works may include sealing, resurfacing, gravel road maintenance, drainage improvement and patching, leading to more reliable, safer journeys with less wear and tear on vehicles.
“These improvements help stimulate our regional economy and contribute to the social wellbeing of families, farmers and freight who rely on these roads to get to work, education and services.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the State Government had funded almost 500 Fixing Local Road projects across 95 regional councils.
“NSW has certainly had its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather, and while we cannot control Mother Nature, we can control our response by improving the standard of our local road network,” Mr Farraway said.
So far, the Fixing Local Roads program has provided $547 million for 498 projects over three rounds. Of these, 203 are now completed, with a further 295 in the planning and construction phases.
“After 16 years, the former Labor government left NSW with a $30 billion infrastructure backlog. Our government is building our way forward with a $19.4b regional roads and transport infrastructure pipeline,” Mr Farraway said.
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