MORE THAN $12.3 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS IN THE HUNTER TO BOOST SAFETY & JOBS

The Australian and NSW Governments will join forces to turbocharge a program which will improve local roads across regional NSW as well as creating jobs and boosting regional economies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Governmen
t’s funding injection was about generating jobs, encouraging spending and stimulating local economies.

“The injection will see $382 million of joint funding allocated to shovel-ready projects able to start in the next 12 months, driving an estimated 3,500 jobs in regional NSW,” Mr McCormack said.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was also accelerating its funding for the program to get more projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads under way faster.

“We’re not just putting our foot down in terms of delivering this package – we’re turbocharging it to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities,” Mr Toole said.

Projects will need to be delivered within two years of receiving funding, to ensure that local communities are benefiting sooner. Applications for round two of the program will open later this year.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack said the program would deliver a total of $12,320,153 for projects across the Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Cessnock Local Government Areas.

“It will mean smoother, safer trips along roads Hunter communities use every day – like Fairlands Road in Medowie which will undergo pavement rehabilitation along the entire length of the road thanks to $700,000 in funding for Port Stephens Council,” Ms Cusack said.

“Ruttleys Road in Wyee is also set to be rehabilitated and significantly widened to improve surface condition, alignment and cycle safety with the addition of bicycle lanes in both directions, thanks to more than $2.25 million.”

Patron Senator for the Hunter and Paterson Federal Electorates, Hollie Hughes said round one would see $250 million invested in 258 projects across 83 Local Government Areas.

“This is about delivering small projects that can make a big difference for local communities – projects that will drive valuable jobs in our region over the next 12 months as councils get cracking on delivery,” Senator Hughes said.

The Australian Government has committed $191 million to build on the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads program, ensuring even more communities in the Hunter and Paterson federal electorates benefit faster.

Projects receiving funding in the Cessnock LGA
include:

Old Maitland Road, Sawyers Gully – unsealed sections of pavement at the northern end of Old Maitland Road will be stabilised and surfaced from the end of the existing sealed section, through the section commonly referred to as the 21 bends, heading south from Sawyers Gully Road (3,072m).
$1,836,000

Cessnock Road, Weston – Pavement to be stabilised and resurfaced from Station Street towards First Street (900m).
$757,500

Mitchell Avenue, Kurri Kurri – Pavement resurfacing from Government road to Northcote Street.
$1,177,500