A new round of funding has been announced to floodproof critical road freight infrastructure in NSW, with the $32 million Regional Transport Resilience Fund (RTRF) set to support the Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes councils.
The RTRF package is jointly funded by the state and federal governments and is part of the wider Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.
Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes were four of the worst-hit regions during NSW’s 2022 floods, which saw road and transport infrastructure sustain damage across an area of 11,000 kilometres.
The projects funded by the RTRF support are as follows:
Parkes Shire Council
- $5.65 million for:
- A new bridge on The Bogan Way between Trundle and Parkes
- A new bridge on Middle Trundle Road
- The installation of culverts and causeways at various locations on Middle Trundle Road
- $1.08 million for the installation of new concrete causeways as part of council’s causeway improvement program.
Forbes Shire Council
- $5.43 million to upgrade four culverts and upgrade pavement at various locations across the council area
- $4.4 million to upgrade five culverts and pavement on Wirrinya Road
- $1.6 million for:
- Pavement upgrades on Henry Lawson Way
- Culvert replacement and pavement upgrades at various locations on Pinnacle Road
- Pavement upgrades at various locations on Waugan Road
Lachlan Shire Council
- $3.99 million for:
- Pavement overlay and stabilisation, sealing work, additional culverts at various locations, and one culvert/bridge replacement on Lake Cargelligo Road
- Pavement overlay and stabilisation, sealing work, increased culvert width and headwalls scour protection on Lachlan Valley Way
- $827,783 for pavement strengthening, overlay and stabilisation, sealing work and increased culvert capacity at various locations on Kiacatoo Road
Cabonne Shire Council
- $3.78 million for installation of concrete floodways, table drains, box culverts, pipe culverts, headwalls and concrete decks at various locations across the council area
- $3.67 million for a package of bridge work including:
- Raising the bridge deck at Canomodine Lane Bridge, Canowindra
- Culvert upgrades on Edward Street, Molong
- Replacing the Baghdaad Road Bridge, Cargo
- Raising the bridge deck at Ophir Road Bridge, Ophir
- Work on the Kiewa Street footbridge, Manildra.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister says it’s important to help NSW’s regional communities continue to recover from the devastating impacts of the recent floods.
“Communities in Central West NSW were hit hard by flooding in 2022, and both levels of government are working together to help them recover from and prepare for future events,” McAllister says.
“The new bridges and upgraded roads will help residents stay safe and connected during severe weather.
“We know there is more work to be done, and we are committed to supporting Central Western communities to recover and rebuild for the long-term”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison says investment in flood prevention is more effective than funding flood relief.
“We know that for every $1 invested in betterment we save up to $10 in recovery,” Aitchison says.
“The projects we are investing in will help local communities continue to rebuild their lives and livelihoods following the devastating floods and well into the future.
“The Regional Transport Resilience Fund is not just about repairing like-for-like. It will ensure vital infrastructure like bridges and roads are built back better able to withstand future disasters.”
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