Dungog Shire Council is applauding the NSW Government's announcement that it will receive $25M to upgrade and improve the shire's local road network.
NSW Deputy Premier, The Hon. John Barilaro MP, along with Minister for Regional Transport & Roads, The Hon. Paul Toole MP, and Nationals' candidate for the Upper Hunter, David Layzell, made the announcement in Dungog on Friday.
Mayor of Dungog, Councillor John Connors, has welcomed the funding and is happy the NSW Government is listening to the key priorities on council's Advocacy Agenda.
"On behalf of Dungog Shire Council and the broader shire community, I am very happy to receive these funds to help upgrade and maintain our 718km shire road network," said Mayor Connors.
"It is particularly pleasing to see the advocacy work and information provided by council to the NSW Government has been considered and responded to in this way."
Mayor Connors also explained that while he is grateful to receive this funding, more is needed to bring roads in Dungog Shire up to standard.
"Our Advocacy Agenda outlined in council's Critical Infrastructure Priorities document clearly illustrates the funding needed to bring Dungog's roads to a satisfactory standard is $23.8M, and that the real cost to bring them up to the desired service level set by the council is $55M," adds Mayor Connors.
"We are very grateful to receive this funding; however, there is still more funding needed to bring our roads to a satisfactory standard and there is still more work to do."
General Manager Gareth Curtis says $25M is a great start to help tackle Dungog's critical road priorities and maintenance backlog.
"Clearly, $25M is a game changing announcement for our road network in terms of addressing the priorities, backlog and maintenance of roads in Dungog Shire," says Mr Curtis.
"I look forward to working with Transport for NSW and the NSW Public Works Advisory on addressing our critical road priorities and delivering these works for our community."
