(UPDATED 14 January) The NSW Government has fast tracked funding to local councils affected by flooding and wet weather, putting the cash into bank accounts sooner so the repairs can be done as soon as possible.
Tamworth, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Gwydir, Uralla, and Walcha councils will all be eligible to receive fast tracked payment of their share of $20m allocated for repairs to damage caused by flooding in October and November 2022.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the advanced funding would help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.
“Our top priority is getting our communities who have been impacted by flooding on track to recovery as quickly as possible.”
“By putting emergency funding into the bank accounts of our councils faster councils can get on with the job of repairing and rebuilding damaged road and transport infrastructure sooner,” Mr Farraway said.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said that he had raised the issue of the region’s damaged roads with Mr Farraway, and it was great to see that councils across his electorate of Tamworth will now receive $5.5 million in emergency funding. $2 million each will be fast tracked to Tamworth Regional Council and Gunnedah Shire Council, while the Liverpool Shire Council will receive $1.5 million.
“We know how devastating last year’s record rainfall was on our local road network and road crews have been working around the clock to make our roads safe again,” Mr Anderson said.
“We also know the financial pressure this puts on our councils which is why I have been fighting hard to see more road funding delivered for our damaged road network.”
“The $6.5 million in of fast-tracked funding will give our councils the funding they need to get on with the job of repairing and rebuilding the damaged road network much sooner which is great news for local families.”
In the Northern Tablelands electorate an extra $5 million is on its way, $3m for the badly flood affected Gwydir Shire, and $1m each for Uralla Shire and Walcha councils.
“This is yet another welcome cash boost for our local councils to crack on with the flood damage repair works without having to wade through piles of paperwork and wait for Transport for NSW to approve the projects,” Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said.
“Our region’s councils are responsible for almost all the roads we drive on every day and their staff know every single kilometre best, so advancing this money now makes sense, allowing councils to proceed with thew works right now, rather than waiting until later this year.
“Last year was an incredibly wet year and the devastating impact of this on the roads will take a long time and tens of millions of dollars to repair – so every single dollar that government can provide right now makes a world of difference.”
This funding is on top of more than $60 million in emergency funding already provided to councils devastated by severe weather across the Central West and North Coast last year, and the $500 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
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