MORE POTHOLES TO BE FIXED ACROSS THE UPPER HUNTER ELECTORATE

Upper Hunter Electorate councils will soon start receiving funds for urgent pothole repairs, under the NSW Government’s $50 million Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round.

Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell said that was money going straight into the bank accounts of Dungog Shire Council, Singleton Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Mid-Western Regional Council and MidCoast Council to help them cover the extra costs and workload pressures following this year’s unprecedented rain and storms.

“These grants of more than $1.8 million are a rapid injection of cash to help councils get on with the job of repairing potholes to get us through the wet summer ahead,” Mr Layzell said.

“Additionally, areas like Gloucester as well as Bylong, Wollar and Ulan will benefit from the $2 million awarded to MidCoast Council and Mid-Western Regional Council.

“This pothole repair money is on top of the ongoing investment in a stronger road network through Fixing Local Roads, Fixing Country Roads and Fixing Country Bridges.”

The allocation of the additional funding includes;

• MidCoast Council (Gloucester & Stroud): $1,246,544;

• Dungog Shire Council: $247,866;

• Singleton Council: $299,122;

• Muswellbrook Shire Council: $219,432;

• Upper Hunter Shire Council: $591,431;

• Liverpool Plains Shire Council: $511,186; and,

• Mid-Western Regional Council (Bylong, Wollar & Ulan): $778,670

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said all 94 regional councils that applied for funding had been approved for grants.

“From December, councils across regional NSW will receive their share of $50 million to repair pothole-ravaged local and regional roads,” Mr Farraway said.

“This additional support will help councils to repair their most damaged roads, improving safety and reducing wear and tear on vehicles.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is backing in our councils with this dedicated pothole repair funding which is the first of its kind in NSW.

The NSW road network is more than 180,000 kilometres long, with local councils currently responsible for maintaining well in excess 85 per cent of it, including regional and local roads.

PHOTO CAPTION: Dave Layzell with Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway inspecting potholes near Singleton.