JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
On the final day of a three-day tour of the Hunter Region, Nationals Senator for NSW Perin Davey has welcomed the Government announcement of additional funding for local road projects in the area.
The announcement is part of the latest round of the Australian and NSW Governments’ accelerated Fixing Local Roads program, aimed at improving local roads and creating thousands of jobs in the regions.
Senator Davey said the latest round of Fixing Local Roads funding helps local councils tackle the increasing amount of work required to provide safe roads for their communities, like repairing, patching, maintaining and sealing.
“On top of $243.6 million in the first round of funding under the program last year, there is a further $150 million in round two,” Senator Davey said.
“Funding will go towards projects at Cessnock City Council ($1,620,000), Muswellbrook Shire Council ($553, 397) and Singleton Council ($2,340,000).
“This is another of example of how The Nationals have and will continue to deliver for the people of the Hunter Region.
“Safe, reliable roads are essential for communities in the bush, so it’s great that the Federal Government has turbocharged the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads program by committing $191 million last year.”
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.
“The funding will improve the safety of roads in local communities, including repairing, patching, maintaining and sealing local roads.
“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.
Applications for Round 2 of the program were open from 2 November until 11 December 2020.
Guidelines and a factsheet for Round 2 of Fixing Local Roads can be found here for the Fixing Local Roads Program.