Cabonne Shire has commenced much needed disaster recovery works to rebuild and strengthen transport infrastructure impacted by the 2022 floods, which caused widespread damage across the Central West LGAs.
Work is now underway to improve the drainage capacity and efficacy of causeways along key roads in the shire, with planning and design being prepared for improvements to a number of bridges across the shire.
These two transport infrastructure upgrade packages are made possible through the Regional Transport Resilience Fund (RTRF) provided jointly by the NSW and Australian governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Disaster recovery funding of up to $3.8 million will cover the installation of concrete floodways, table drains, box culverts, pipe culverts, headwalls and concrete decks at various locations across the Cabonne LGA.
A further $5.3 million in disaster recovery funding will enable a package of bridge work, which will involve:
- raising the bridge deck at Canomodine Lane Bridge, Canowindra
- culvert upgrades on Edward Street, Cudal
- replacing the Baghdad Road Bridge, Cargo
- raising the bridge deck at Ophir Road Bridge, Ophir
- replacing the Kiewa Street footbridge, Manildra.
Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes LGAs also received betterment funding for infrastructure upgrades to improve resilience.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
"The DRFA supported RTRF allows these Central West communities to continue to rebuild following the devastating floods in 2022.
"Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes LGAs were all invited to apply for project-specific funding to carry out upgrades on damaged local roads and bridges and to help better prepare for future severe weather events with nine projects receiving funding.
"These Central West councils will share in more than $30 million of disaster relief funding as their communities continue to rebuild from floods while also doing whatever can be done to improve future flood resilience using clever design."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison:
"The Central West Regional Transport Resilience Funding (RTRF) forms part of the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.
"Importantly, this package focuses on building back better to ensure communities across the Central West are better prepared in the face of future disasters.
"The aim is to ensure local road and bridge infrastructure is built back to better withstand disasters and to improved standards."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin:
"The impact of the 2022 floods was felt across 11,000 kilometres of the Central West, with some areas remaining underwater for extended periods of time, causing significant impact on the transport network and community connectivity.
"It is because of the advocacy of these Councils and their commitment to community restoration that this funding has been able to be secured.
"This work starting in Cabonne is a huge step forward for community recovery in this region."
Quotes attributable to Member for Orange Phil Donato:
"The 2022 floods caused significant damage across Cabonne Shire, and this funding is a crucial step in helping our communities recover and build back stronger. These upgrades will improve the safety and resilience of key transport routes that locals, farmers and businesses rely on every day.
"I am pleased to see all levels of government working together to deliver real outcomes for our region. This is about ensuring our infrastructure can better withstand future weather events and keep our communities connected."
Quotes attributable to Cabonne Shire Council Deputy General Manager Infrastructure Matthew Christensen:
"Access to this funding stream and acknowledgement by both the Australian and NSW governments that local councils just do not have capacity to fund the repairs required after a natural disaster, let alone consider how to rebuild important infrastructure to withstand future events.
"It is vital that council's roads, bridges, culverts and footpaths are maintained to support Cabonne's agriculture industry, encourage tourism, and ensure that all road users are able to travel safely."
