Funding boost to tackle potholes in roads

Council welcomes the NSW Government funding announcement assisting regional and rural councils to fix the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme rain events.  

“This is very welcome news and Council will be submitting an application for this funding to carry out emergency pothole repairs across the Shire,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan. “This funding is certainly welcomed and will provide additional support for Council in overcoming the current situation with our road network, however much more is needed in the current situation. Council will also need support with rectification and ‘betterment’ funding to help ensure that some of the problems are not faced again.”  

“Warrumbungle Shire Council manages over 2,500km of roads and with the relentless rain events the pressure is mounting to repair this extensive road network for the safety of the community and motorists,” said Cr Doolan.    

“Council has repaired over 3,100 potholes on State Highways during the last 4 months. This is 2,700 more pothole repairs, or eight times more, than would usually be completed in that length of time. Council is committed to getting our roads back to pre-disaster conditions but it is going to take time. There are almost 1800 defects to repairs on 227 roads as a result of the floods in November 2021. Many of these roads have been further damaged due to the ongoing wet weather with an additional natural disaster events in August, September and October this year,” Cr Doolan explained. 

“Council staff are working additional hours to overcome the disasters but with supply chain issues we are now incurring lengthy delays in receiving supplies and materials needed for works.”

“Until we get on top of the problem and with the continued wet conditions, road users are urged to take caution not only in the Warrumbungle LGA but across the State,” concluded Cr Doolan.

Click here to download media release

 

Photo: Pothole on the Castlereagh Highway, Dunedoo  

Last Updated: 03 Nov 2022