28 November 2023

Hon Kristy McBain
Member for Eden-Monaro 

The Albanese Labor Government continues to deliver on its commitment to improve road safety in Eden-Monaro, significantly increasing funding available to local councils to maintain and upgrade their local road networks.

Roads to Recovery (RTR) funding will rise gradually from $500 million to $1 billion per year, and Black Spot funding will increase from the current annual commitment of $110 million to $150 million per year.

The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) and the Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) will be merged into a new, Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

Funding for this new program will gradually increase to $200 million per year, $50 million more than currently available under BRP and HVSPP.

These programs are already making a significant impact to road quality and safety in NSW communities, with over $757 million under RTR and more than $440 million under BRP and HVSPP delivered to NSW councils across the life of these programs.

In Eden-Monaro, the Albanese Government has delivered over $3.1 million in R2R funding to local councils in 2023-24.

This includes over $661,000 towards Bega Valley Shire Council, supporting road and pavement improvements on Meringo Street in Bega, Lookout Lane at Bemboka, and Widgeram Road at Bournda.

The Snowy Valleys Council received $150,000 to resurface Richmond Street in Tumut, with Snowy Monaro Regional Council receiving over $54,000 to install guard rails on the Palerang Road bridge.

Eurobodalla Shire Council received over $437,000 in R2R funding, including $26,000 towards re-sealing of Nerrigundah Mountain Road, and over $37,000 for a new asphalt surface on Wagonga Street, Narooma.

Yass Valley received $851,980 to replace and reseal road sections across Murrumbateman and Yass, including at McIntosh Circuit, Nanima Road and Wargeila Road.

Increased funding will support councils across Eden-Monaro to improve road safety in a way that reduces the burden on them, allowing more money to be spent on projects and less on administration.

The Government recognises that local governments require more funding to manage the rising costs and increased pressure on transport infrastructure due to climate change and extreme weather events.

The changes have been recommended by the Independent Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program and the increases in funding will be phased in over the forward estimates to avoid putting pressure on inflation, supply costs and the construction labour market.

Roads to Recovery funding is calculated by population and road length – with a consultation process to be undertaken in early 2024 to ensure that any changes to this formula works for local governments, and that funding gets spent where it is needed more quickly.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:

“Councils across Eden-Monaro have all asked for the same thing – more support so that they can better maintain and upgrade their local road networks.

“We’ve listened and will significantly increase the funding available to them – making it easier for councils to progress priority road projects that our communities are calling out for.

“Councils in Eden-Monaro have significant and ageing road networks to maintain – roads that have deteriorated from weather events, and roads under more demand as people move to our regions.

“That’s why the Albanese Labor Government is putting more money in councils’ hands, ensuring that funding is stable, predictable and fair into the future – because when all levels of government work together, we get better results in our communities.”