Council secures $2.58 million in road funding

Published on 06 April 2021

Safer journeys are on the way across our region with Federation Council receiving $2.58 million for Cullivel Road improvements.

The funding was received under the latest round of the Australian and NSW Governments’ accelerated Fixing Local Roads program to improve local roads and create thousands of local jobs in the regions.

Projects funded under this include:

•  Albury City - Centaur road rehabilitation - $1.54 Million.
•  Federation Council – Cullivel road improvements - $2.58 Million.
•  Greater Hume Shire – Gerogery road reconstruction and widening - $1.95 Million.

Member for Albury Justin Clancy said Fixing Local Roads is helping councils repair, maintain and seal the roads that really mattered to regional communities.

“NSW has a road network of more than 180,000 kilometres in length, and nearly 80 per cent is classified as local roads, so it is a real challenge for councils to effectively manage and maintain their road assets,” Mr Clancy Said

“This program won’t just ease the burden of maintenance for local councils, but it will deliver safer, more reliable journeys for all local road users.”

Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said the latest round of Fixing Local Roads funding would help local councils tackle the increasing amount of work required to provide safe roads for their communities, like repairing, patching, maintaining and sealing. 

“The $243.6 million first round of the program last year is delivering a number of projects across the region and now we’re building on that with a further $150 million in round two.” Ms Ley said.

“Our councils always have a long priority list of local road upgrades, and this latest package of funding allows them to have multiple jobs on the go.”

“It is an important cash injection, but equally important in maintaining or boosting employment and ensuring our roads and streets are safer to travel on.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Round 2 of the Fixing Local Roads Program would fund more than 100 new road upgrades across the State, creating more than 1000 jobs. 

“Safe, reliable roads are essential for communities in regional New South Wales – by improving roads, we are making a big difference to people’s lives in ensuring they get home sooner and safer,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“We know improved roads are crucial to regional communities – the more than 100 successful road projects announced today will play a big role in helping residents and businesses recover from the effects of bushfires, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

State Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the $191 million Australian Government funding commitment in June last year was on top of the $500 million from the NSW Government, building upon the vision for a safer, stronger regional NSW.

“We’re injecting even more funding into the roads in the bush that communities depend on, which means a safer and smoother journey for everyone,” Mr Toole said. 

“Better maintained roads mean safer trips to school, to work and to the shops – and the NSW Government is committed to helping councils to create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep our regional communities connected.

“Big infrastructure projects might create a lot of headlines but these are small projects that make a big difference in people’s everyday lives.”

Round 1 of the Fixing Local Roads Program saw $243.6 million of joint funding allocated to 253 projects in 83 Local Government Areas, and Round 2 will see $150 million allocated to more than 100 road projects in 90 Local Government Areas.

All successful projects will be completed within two years to ensure local communities see the benefits as quickly as possible.