$2.59 MILLION TO FIX ROADS FASTER IN JUNEE SHIRE

A $2,594,539 cash injection for roads in Junee Shire will create jobs and boost the local economy at a time when it is needed most.

The Federal Government has committed $191 million to build on the New South Wales Government’s Fixing Local Roads program.

It comes just weeks after the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program announcement, which will provide a further $587,934 to stimulate the local economy in Junee Shire.

Riverina MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Government continued to deliver on its commitment for regional Australia.

“I am proud to be a part of a Government which has supported our regional areas so much as this COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded,” Mr McCormack said.

“I know regional and rural residents rely on roads much more than our city counterparts which is why I took our fight to the Cabinet table to deliver for residents in the Junee region.

“Junee Council submitted a shortlist of projects which they deemed as shovel ready and from there I have worked tirelessly in my role as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development along with NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole to ensure our regional roads receive the funding they deserve.

“We are delivering on our commitment to get people where they need to go sooner and safer.

“This funding will deliver critical infrastructure projects right across the country to help keep construction businesses running and people in jobs.”

Junee Mayor Neil Smith said the extra funding was a welcome relief.

“Junee Shire prides itself on the condition of its roads,” Councillor Smith said.

“This funding is an essential part of facilitating the safety of motorists, local or passing through, and the wider freight and farming community.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was also accelerating its funding for the program to get more projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads under way faster.

“We’re not just putting our foot down in terms of delivering this package – we’re turbocharging it to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities,” Mr Toole said.

“This is money for small projects that make a big difference in people’s everyday lives in regional NSW.”

The Federal and NSW Governments will deliver a total of $32,261,135 towards projects across the Riverina and Central West through this new funding announcement.

This vital funding stream is part of a wider $1.5 billion Federal Government infrastructure package which will provide an immediate injection into the economy and bring jobs back online to help stem the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“$1 billion of this Federal Government package will fund projects which can get under way now and over the next six months, to give an immediate boost to the economy and local jobs – right at the time we need it,” Mr McCormack said.

“I will continue to work with Junee Council, along with my Nationals colleague and NSW Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, to deliver these job-creating priority projects, building on our unprecedented co-operation to date through the National Cabinet of States and Territories.

“This is part of our $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, which is laying the foundations of a financial bridge to recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”

Funding for Junee Shire

Project name | Summary of works | Joint funding from Federal and NSW Government

Sealing Primer Sealed Local Roads | 10mm C240 Bitumen final sealing of 40.5 kilometres of Junee Shire local primer sealed roads. Centre linemarking of the final sealed roads. Total area of sealing to be completed is 310,640m2 | $2,594,539

Shane Manning