Pothole funding to local councils
POTHOLE FUNDING DELIVERED TO LOCAL COUNCILS
Councils in the Tamworth electorate will soon start receiving their share of funding for urgent pothole repairs, under the NSW Government’s $50 million Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this funding would go straight to the bank accounts of local councils, helping to ease the short-term pressure to our road network in the wake of unprecedented wet weather.
“We know that the record wet weather of the past few months has had a significant impact on the state of our local and regional road networks,” Mr Anderson said. “That’s why, we’re stepping in to ease the financial burden on our councils, by providing funding now to help them fix the potholes while the wet weather continues. This funding is in addition to funds like the Fixing Country Roads, Fixing Country Bridges and Fixing Country Roads programs.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said all 94 regional councils that applied for funding had been approved for grants.
“From December, councils across regional NSW will receive their share of $50 million to repair pothole-ravaged local and regional roads,” Mr Farraway said. “This additional support will help councils to repair their most damaged roads, improving safety and reducing wear and tear on vehicles. The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is backing our councils with this dedicated pothole repair funding which is the first of its kind in NSW.”
Under the Government’s Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, Councils receive funding based on the size of their road network:
- Tamworth Regional Council - $1,111,429.74
- Gunnedah Shire Council - $504,644.34
- Walcha Council - $314,554.94
- Liverpool Plains Shire Council - $511,186
The NSW road network is more than 180,000 kilometres long, with local councils currently responsible for maintaining well in excess 85 per cent of it, including regional and local roads.