NSW government launches ‘pioneering’ road repair funding

The New South Wales government is prioritising the delivery of funding to regional road repair projects, announcing three separate funding allocations this week.

This will see a part of the overall $3.3 billion which has been allocated over the next four years for natural disaster road recovery put towards roads that are vulnerable to natural disasters in the Wingecarribee Shire, Armidale and Central Coast regions.

The three councils have signed a pioneering pilot funding agreement with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW, streamlining the distribution of disaster recovery funds.

“For too long councils have struggled to get timely access to disaster road recovery funding and this is why the government introduced the new Tripartite Agreements to speed up the process,” says state transport minister Jenny Aitchison.

“With $3.3 billion allocated over the next four years for natural disaster road recovery funding, the state government is working hard with the federal government to roll out funding faster than ever before.

“Regional communities can now rebuild roads and restore vital transport links more quickly thanks to the collaborative efforts of councils, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.”

Councils had previously reported significant financial strain as they had to finance infrastructure repairs upfront and wait for reimbursement from other levels of government.

Through the newly established Tripartite Agreements, the councils can access advance funding when needed.

“When a region is hit by a natural disaster, the last thing councils need to worry about is coming up with the cash to restore essential road and transport infrastructure,” says minister for planning Paul Scully.

“The new pilot agreement the NSW Government has struck with councils will now help more councils get on with the job faster, knowing they have the funds they will so desperately need.”