Parkes Shire Council has successfully secured more than $8 million in funding for two major road projects that will significantly improve safety, connectivity and resilience across the region.
The funding will support:
- Seal Extension of Cookamidgera Road, Cookamidgera $5m (total project value $6,250,000)
- Seal of Lake Endeavour Road, Lake Endeavour $3,454,776 (total project value $4,318,470)
These were two of only 30 successful projects approved nationally, representing a significant achievement for Parkes Shire. Council also has two further applications pending under Round 4 of the Safer Local Roads Program for Warregal Road and Western Entry Stage 1.
Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott said the funding outcome reflects both the strength of Council's submissions and the powerful advocacy of the local community.
"This is a tremendous outcome for Parkes Shire," Cr Westcott said. "These upgrades will make a real difference to safety, connectivity and resilience across our region."
"I would like to thank the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Catherine King for the opportunity to apply for funding under this Federal Government program. These grants are critical for all local governments to continue to provide the safest roads we can.
"I particularly want to thank the many residents, landholders and community members who took the time to write letters of support."
The Cookamidgera Road project will seal the remaining 6.95km of unsealed road, completing for the first time a fully sealed connection between Parkes and Cookamidgera.
Currently, the narrow-unsealed section is unsuitable for heavy vehicles, unsafe for overtaking or passing traffic, and frequently closed during extended wet periods. In 2024 alone, the road was closed for 39 days in just eight months.
Sealing the remaining section will deliver an all-weather, resilient road that improves safety, supports agricultural productivity, strengthens emergency access and ensures the Cookamidgera community remains connected to Parkes during flood events.
Local Cookamidgera resident Kate Warry was welcoming of the news; "We're so thrilled to see this long awaited project finally granted. Many local residents have contributed tirelessly over the years submitting letters to Council regarding the safety concerns. We look forward to a fully sealed, safer road between Parkes & Cookamidgera, especially as it's also a bus route used daily for our kids."
Lake Endeavour Road will be upgraded from an unsealed gravel surface to a sealed two-lane road. The upgrade comes following a $1 million investment in the Lake Endeavour precinct, which now features an inland 'beach', accessible and quarantined swimming area, 90-metre floating pontoon, pathways and amenities -positioning it as a premier recreational destination for locals and visitors.
The current gravel road, with multiple culverts, is not designed to cater for the increased traffic volumes. Sealing the road will improve safety, reduce dust and support tourism and recreation at Lake Endeavour. Importantly, the upgrade will retain the existing road width to minimise environmental impact, with guardrails used where required to protect established trees near the road corridor.
Director Operations Logan Hignett said the funding allows Council to deliver long-awaited upgrades that directly respond to documented safety concerns and community requests; "These projects represent smart, long-term infrastructure investment that supports economic development, tourism, emergency access and community wellbeing."
Construction timeframes will be confirmed once administrative arrangements are finalised with the Government and procurement of detailed design and contractors are in place.
Image is of part of the unsealed section of Cookamidgera Road.
