BETTER ROADS FOR WAUCHOPE

Safer journeys are on the way across Wauchope with three projects worth $785,000 rolling out under the latest round of the Australian and NSW Governments’ accelerated Fixing Local Roads program to improve local roads.

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said the latest round of Fixing Local Roads funding would help Port Macquarie Hastings Council repairing, patching, maintaining, and sealing local roads.

Under the Round 2 funding Port Macquarie Hastings Council will receive $785,000 for the rehabilitation of Bago Road/Cameron Street, between Timbertops Close and Azalea Street.

 Dr Gillespie said once complete It will mean smoother, safer trips to school, work or even the shops for local residents.

“Safe, reliable roads are essential infrastructure for communities in the regions, so it’s great that the Federal Government has turbocharged the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads program by committing $191 million last year.”

“Regional communities like ours heavily rely on our road networks and by continuing to significantly invest in local roads, we are improving that connectivity, Dr Gillespie said.

State Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said Fixing Local Roads was helping councils repair, maintain and seal the roads that really mattered to regional communities.

“NSW has a road network of more than 180,000 kilometres in length, and nearly 80 per cent is classified as local roads, so it is a real challenge for councils to effectively manage and maintain their road assets,” Mrs Pavey said.

“This program won’t just ease the burden of maintenance for local councils, but it will deliver safer, more reliable journeys for all local road users.”

“The funding will improve the safety of roads in local communities, including repairing, patching, maintaining and sealing local roads.

Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson said the big infrastructure projects might create a lot of headlines, but these are small projects that make a big difference in people’s everyday lives.

“Better maintained roads mean safer trips to school, to work and to the shops – and working in partnership with government we will create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep our regional communities connected.”

Round 1 of the Fixing Local Roads Program saw $243.6 million of joint funding allocated to 253 projects in 83 Local Government Areas, and Round 2 will see $150 million allocated to more than 100 road projects in 90 Local Government Areas.