Labor candidate for Bega, Leanne Atkinson and NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Roads and Local Government, Peter Primrose MLC, visited Doctor George Mountain. Photo: Supplied.
Regional road’s will be a winner if a Labor Government is elected to the NSW Parliament in five weeks time.
The alternative government has pledged to help clear the road maintenance backlog of local government by investing an additional $900 million over five years in line with an NRMA recommendation.
Local Labor candidates say the investment will almost double the existing $500 million for the fixing regional roads program, bringing the total investment to $1.4 billion.
Labor candidate for Monaro, Bryce Wilson says, “These funds will help get roads throughout the Queanbeyan, Palerang, and the Snowy Monaro area back to an acceptable standard.”
“The Liberals and Nationals have been busy focused on Stadiums in Sydney.
“Councilors have made it clear to me that additional funding is seriously needed for our rural roads.”
The announcement comes as the NRMA revealed that the local roads infrastructure backlog has jumped significantly in Southern and Western NSW.
The NRMA’s ‘Funding Local Roads’ report found that the roads backlog in Central NSW, the Far West, Snowy Mountains and South Coast had increased by 46.8% from $285.9 million in 2014-15 to $419.7 million in 2016-17.
The NRMA says, “Allocating $60 million per annum from the Regional Growth Fund and/or Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund over a five-year period would fund the gross replacement cost of all regional NSW roads requiring urgent renewal or upgrade.”
“Increasing this allocation up to $180 million per annum over the same five-year period would bring all regional NSW roads up to satisfactory condition.”
Labor candidate for Bega, Leanne Atkinson says, “We’re increasing the amount of money available to Bega Valley Shire and Eurobodalla Shire Council’s to make roads safer.”
“All funding under this plan will be distributed according to Council’s priorities.”
Speaking to Region Media, and using the example of Dr George Mountain Road between Bega and the coast, Ms Atkinson says, “If the Council’s advice is that the road be sealed, then the money would be made available.”
NSW Election day is March 23.
What road would you spend the money on?
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