BY ISABEL EVERETT
The State Government is investing $25 million dollars to upgrade roads in Dungog.
The Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole visited Dungog on Friday to make the announcement alongside the NSW Nationals candidate for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell.
“This brand new $25 million funding package from the NSW Government will help Dungog Shire Council to tackle their $23.8 million maintenance backlog and get these roads back into prime condition, which this community deserves,” Mr Barilaro said.
Priorities for upgrades under the $25 million package will be determined by Dungog Shire Council in consultation with Transport for NSW.
“We know the roads across the Dungog Shire are not up to standard and a reliable road network is essential for a thriving region."
“The NSW Government is righting Labor’s wrongs by reclaiming the management of thousands of kilometres of roads across the state to take the onus off councils and put it back on the Government.
“That process is underway, but it will take time, and in the interim, we will continue to invest in road networks across NSW, because an investment in local roads is an investment in the lives of the people who live in that community.”
Mr Toole said in the past 12 months, the NSW Government has invested more than $21 million in projects on Dungog’s local road network.
“Only last week, I was out near Vacy to see work underway on Summer Hill Road – one of four road upgrades we’re funding with more than $5.4 million from our Fixing Local Roads program,” Mr Toole said.
In the coming months, work will get underway on the first four of 23 ageing timber bridges on the local road network that will be replaced with modern structures, thanks to $16 million in funding through the Fixing Country Bridges program.
