More roads on the Coffs Coast are in line for vital repair, maintenance and sealing work under Round Four of the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said hundreds of millions of dollars was already rolling out to help councils here and right across regional NSW to upgrade local road networks.
“Now with Round Four of Fixing Local Roads opening, our local councils have a chance to apply for even more projects,” Mr Singh said.
“These include sealing, resurfacing, gravel road maintenance, drainage improvement and patching, leading to more reliable, safer journeys with less wear and tear on vehicles.
“These improvements help stimulate our local economy and contribute to the social wellbeing of families, farmers and freight using these roads to get to work, education and services.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Government has already funded almost 500 Fixing Local Roads projects across 95 regional councils and now with Round Four opening, even more projects will get under way.
“NSW has certainly had its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather, and while we cannot control Mother Nature, we can control our response by improving the standard of our local road network,” Mr Farraway said.
So far, the Fixing Local Roads program has provided $547 million for 498 projects over three rounds. Of these, 203 are now completed with a further 295 in the planning and construction phases.
One of the councils to have received support under previous rounds of Fixing Local Roads is Coffs Harbour City Council with over $1.6 million allocated for five projects.
Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Paul Amos said with roughly 800 kilometres of sealed roads in the local government area to look after, the job to keep up with repairs is massive – particularly after prolonged rain events.
“We spend around $7.5 million every year on road maintenance so any and all roads-related grants we win – such as Fixing Local Roads – are always welcome,” Cr Amos said.
Councils have until 9 September to apply for Round Four Fixing Local Roads funding.
