Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall is urging local councils to apply for funding from the $100 round three of the state government’s Fixing Country Roads Program.
Thursday, 15 June 2017
COUNCILS and communities across the Northern Tablelands now have access to a further $100 million from today to upgrade their local roads, bridges and truck washes, from round three of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program.
Encouraging all local councils to apply for the expanded third round, Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the region had already been a key beneficiary of the first two rounds of funding.
“We’ve seen more than $7 million invested in 14 projects in our region, ranging from replacing Abington, Tin Tot and Tenterden Bridges; fixing truck washes in Moree, Warialda and Armidale to upgrades on Rockvale Road and the Bruxner Highway and much more,” Mr Marshall said.
“This program helps councils deal with inefficiencies and bottlenecks on their local roads networks and makes communities safer and more comfortable places for us all to live in. Now councils have access to a new $100 million round of funding to further fix roads around the region.
“Funding can now go towards truck wash facilities, as well as upgrades to roads and bridges to better service heavy vehicles. This will mean greater efficiency for our vital freight links as they connect us from the farm gates to the supermarket.”
Mr Marshall is urging councils to submit applications for Fixing Country Roads, but to also consider all the co-funding options available to them and seek the support of local industry.
“The most successful projects involve all levels of government,” he said. “Just recently the Warialda heavy vehicle bypass attracted $6.56 million in funding from commonwealth and state governments, local council and freight industry.
“I recommend councils throughout the Northern Tablelands also consider applying for funding under Federal Government initiatives such as the Bridges Renewal Programme, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme and the Building Better Regions Fund.”
The $100 million Round Three instalment is part of a $543 million commitment for Fixing Country Roads from Rebuilding NSW, with funding to be progressively made available by the NSW Government.
Applications are now open and close on 1 September 2017.
The Infrastructure NSW Regional Independent Assessment Panel, which includes representatives from Local Government NSW, Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association, NSW Farmers Association, and the NRMA will then assess the project applications.
For information on the Fixing Country Roads funding criteria, program guidelines and how to submit an application visit www.freight.transport.nsw.gov.au