LOCAL councils across the Northern Tablelands are being encouraged to apply for a share of $15 million the NSW Government is investing to support the increased movement of drought relief, State MP Adam Marshall said today.
Mr Marshall said every council in the Northern Tablelands was eligible to apply for up to $300,000 to help with road maintenance and improvements to accommodate increased freight movements caused by the drought.
“Farmers impacted by the drought are relying on the vital transport of stock and feed across the region, which has increased the impact on the road network,” Mr Marshall said.
“Funding will be targeted to support improved productivity for road freight while maintaining or improving safety for road users.”
Examples of what can be funded under the program include road shoulder and surface repairs and new and improved road signage.
Recently completed projects which improve freight access for drought relief can be considered.
“Across our region, many local roads have copped a battering under the burden of more and more heavy vehicle movements to and from the farm gate,” Mr Marshall said.
“I welcome this timely funding injection by the government and urge all our region’s councils to take advantage of this and get their applications in quickly.”
Further information is available at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/droughtaccessprogram or by emailing roadfreight@rms.nsw.gov.au
The NSW Government has delivered programs worth more than $1 billion to support farmers through the drought.