Funding announced for road repairs

Over $4.5 million in funding has been secured to boost road repairs, which are urgently needed throughout the Warrumbungle local government area after a year of natural disaster conditions caused extensive damage to the road network.

“This is very welcome news and Council is grateful that funding has been approved to assist in repairing our badly damaged roads,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan. “Funding is desperately needed to overcome the current situation with the road network, however there is still a long way to go.”  

“Warrumbungle Shire Council manages over 2,500km of roads and after unusually persistent rain events that included three separate natural disaster declarations for the LGA, the last year has been dominated by road conditions. Right across the region, this is the issue that has constantly been raised by concerned residents.”    

“Council is working within the Federal and State Government frameworks for natural disaster funding assistance. This is a very long and slow process, where every road defect is recorded and assessed. To date, Council has identified nine separate work packages plus emergency works, and has applied for funding for each one. Six packages have been approved at a total amount of funding of over $8 million,” explained Cr Doolan. 

“Council staff are continually working through the road network to capture information about road damage. Further claims for natural disaster assistance are still being prepared. Once funding is received, a systematic approach to road repairs has been adopted so that the works are as efficient as possible. It will take some two years to complete the program of returning roads to their pre-disaster condition,” said Cr Doolan.

“This latest funding from the NSW Government’s Regional and Local Roads Repair Program is in addition to the recent funding for Pothole Repair, Category D Disaster, and Natural Disaster Assistance. We are very grateful to the NSW Government for this support,” concluded Cr Doolan.

 

Click here to download the media release

Last Updated: 09 Feb 2023