$21 MILLION CASH BOOST TO HELP FIX LOCAL ROADS

Councils across the region will share in more than $21 million to fix local roads through funding from the Australian and New South Wales Liberal and Nationals Governments.

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

Riverina MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian and New South Wales Governments’ funding injection was about generating jobs, encouraging spending and stimulating local economies.

“The upkeep of local roads is vital for our smaller regional and rural communities,” Mr McCormack said.

“Local Governments from across the electorate have provided a wishlist of projects and, together with our State colleagues, we are delivering on funding for these important works which will be a timely boost for local jobs and a boon for regional road users.

“Whether you live on a farm in Coolamon, Junee, or Weddin Shires, a property in Bland, Cowra or Temora, or a lifestyle block in the Cootamundra-Gundagai or Hilltops Regions – we want people to get where they need to go sooner and safer.

“This funding injection will see $382 million of joint funding allocated to shovel-ready projects able to start in the next 12 months and create thousands of jobs.”

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 accelerating 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.”

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she was delighted every council in the electorate had received funding.

“There are thousands of kilometres of local roads across the Cootamundra electorate and travelling along them regularly I know first-hand how important it is that they are looked after,” Ms Cooke said.

“I have worked hard with our local Councils to ensure the projects they need have made it in to this round of funding, and it’s a pleasure to see the NSW Government’s $191 million matched by our Federal colleagues.

“Every cent of this funding is an investment in local road safety, local jobs and helping our local governments during this difficult time.”

The Federal and NSW Governments will deliver $32,261,135 towards projects across the Riverina and Central West.

Details for specific projects will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Shane Manning