Liberal Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has welcomed the news a re-elected NSW Liberal Nationals government will continue to fix local roads and rail across the Goulburn electorate with the announcement of a commitment of $1 billion.
Mrs Tuckerman said the announcement would build on the $1.8 billion spent on local roads by the NSW government since 2019.
“We’ve spent the last 12 years building the roads and rail our community deserved and needed after 16 years of Labor barely giving us a cent,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“Over the last 12 years, we’ve rolled out the $500 million Fixing Local Roads program, the $543 Fixing Country Roads program, the $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program and following recent floods and heavy rain, $330 million to regional councils to fix potholes.
“But we know there is more to do, that’s why I’m proud of our $1 billion commitment, which will continue to fix our local roads and rail across the region.
Deputy Premier and Leader of the NSW Nationals NSW Paul Toole said the landmark commitment would improve the resilience of the road and rail network right across NSW, benefitting the regions for generations to come.
“This is a state-building initiative that will drive safety and drive productivity, ensuring people and products get where they need to – and that when disaster strikes, communities and supply chains remain connected,” Mr Toole said.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent floods forward thinking was needed to strengthen the state’s supply chain.
“Betterment isn’t a last minute thought bubble or cash splash. This has been a 12-month journey since I signed the first co funded betterment pilot in the country to rebuild infrastructure in the northern NSW post floods,” Mr Farraway said.
“This is what the community expects and this is the policy direction we need to move in when it comes to disaster recovery.
The funding commitment includes:
- A $400 million injection for Fixing Local Roads to help regional councils continue their work to repair, maintain and seal the roads their communities use every day;
- $300 million for the establishment of a new Fast Tracking Freight program to tackle freight pinch points on the road and rail network, better connect road and rail with key and emerging freight hubs and increase the capacity and reliability of the network; and
- $300 million for a Build Back Better program to invest in more resilient State, regional and local road and transport infrastructure across regional NSW.
WENDY TUCKERMAN 