Cow versus car or cow versus truck is never going to end well.
In a bid to lessen the chances of these sorts of accidents occurring in Regional NSW the State Government is rolling out the NSW Cattle Underpass Scheme (CUPS), providing space to take cows under, rather than over, the road.
Two major underpasses were finished at Comboyne in mid-2025, giving dairy herds a stress-free commute beneath Lorne Road and Comboyne Road and other sites from the Snowy Valleys to the Far South Coast have been fitted with modern warning systems that cut crash risks and ease pressure on local roads.
The regional boost ensures safer movements for farmers, safer and smoother journeys for motorists and a big boost for productivity on some of NSW’s busiest farming routes.
NSW Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison says the program would help make travelling rural roads safer.
“Almost two-thirds of road deaths occur in regional NSW. These upgrades show what practical, targeted investment can achieve: safer roads for motorists, safer conditions for farm workers, and safer movement for livestock,” Aitchison says.
“The Cattle Underpass Scheme is exactly the kind of smart infrastructure regional communities deserve. It keeps people safe, supports local productivity and builds a more resilient, better-connected state.”
With grants covering up to half the cost, capped at $100,000 for underpasses and $20,000 for flashing-light systems, CUPS helps farmers upgrade safety infrastructure.
Eight safer sites delivered across regional NSW so far are:
- Barrington East Rd, MidCoast Council – flashing lights installed
- Myrtle Mountain Road, Bega Valley – cattle underpass
- Lorne Road & Comboyne Road, Comboyne – two cattle underpasses
- Bruxner Highway, Richmond Valley – flashing lights installed
- Tumut Plains Rd, Snowy Valleys – flashing lights installed
- Cobargo Bermagui Rd, Bega Valley – flashing lights installed
- North Logan Road, Cowra Shire – flashing lights installed