Steph Cooke | 28 Feb 2023 | Junee Shire Roads and Transport
Old Cootamundra Road at Dirnaseer is set for an overhaul with funding of $2,684,423 secured by Junee Shire Council through the latest round of the NSW Nationals’ $500 million Fixing Local Roads program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the project is one of eight successful projects in the electorate, allowing Council to undertake crucial rehabilitation and maintenance works.
“Road users have made regular contact with me about the condition of our road network, so I am very pleased to have secured this funding to support much-needed repairs,” Ms Cooke said.
“These works will help to make the school bus run, the commute to and from work safer for locals who rely on this road every day.”
The $500 million NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program supports councils to improve routes that regional communities use every day, making journeys for locals, farmers, and freight safer, more efficient, and more reliable.
Junee Shire Council General Manager Mr James Davis said they are thrilled with the funding announcement which provides for extensive road renewal works.
“It’s great to see the State Government is continuing to support rural councils through its Fixing Local Roads programme which is very much appreciated,” Mr Davis said.
Steph Cooke | 22 Feb 2023 | Community Roads and Transport Services
Regional apprentices and trainees in the region can now apply for the NSW Nationals in government’s $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card is a budget-boosting initiative to help ease cost of living pressures in the bush where young people face long distances to get to and from work or training.
“I’m pleased to announce that from today, more than 51,000 regional apprentices and trainees, aged between 16 and 66, can save apply to save $250 on fuel and public transport to help with the cost of travelling to work or study,” Ms Cooke said.
“From today, if you’re an apprentice or trainee, you can get down to your local Service NSW centre and apply for the $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card and it will be sent to you within weeks.
“If you’re a parent or partner of an apprentice or trainee and you take them to their work or study, encourage them to apply to help towards fuel costs.
“This initiative follows a recent announcement which will see young drivers able to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to get into a safer car.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the card was a win for apprentices and trainees hard at work in restaurants, childcare centres, and on farms and construction sites across regional NSW.
“It’s a $250 boost that will ease the cost of filling up the tank or catching transport to work or class for thousands of people working towards their future career,” Mr Toole said.
Applications for university students will open from the end of April when enrolments are confirmed. Apprentices and trainees have until 30 November to apply for the 2023 card.
The initiative will run as a two-year trial until the end of 2024.
Steph Cooke | 20 Feb 2023 | Community Roads and Transport
Young drivers in the region will be given a cash incentive to help them buy a newer, safer vehicle under a state-first program by the NSW Nationals in Government.
The new Safer Cars for Country Kids program will provide a $5000 subsidy for up to 1,000 young drivers to help them purchase a safer car.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this program would help save lives in the bush by getting younger people into safer cars.
“This new program will help to get old and unsafe cars off our country roads and make it easier for young drivers to get behind the wheel of a newer safer car,” Ms Cooke said.
“We want our kids to upgrade to a more modern vehicle with better safety features, like stability control, to keep them and others safe when driving on regional roads.
“While country residents make up only one-third of the NSW population, two-thirds of all fatalities occur on country roads, that’s why we’re rolling out new initiatives that keep our kids as safe as possible on our roads.”
Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the initiative recognised that young drivers are much more likely to inherit the old family car, or buy an older, cheaper or less safe vehicle as their first car.
“Every parent wants to know their kids are in the safest possible car when they head off down the road, especially in the regions where they are driving longer distances and dealing with additional challenges like dust and roos,” Mr Toole said.
“This landmark trial will provide a helping hand to young drivers to buy a safer set of wheels – and give their families greater confidence in their safety every time they’re on the road.”
Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will first trial up to 50 young people in selected areas, before rolling out in phases to all regional areas across the state.
“If we want young people to really benefit from this program then we have to get it right, and this trial will provide us feedback on what works and what doesn’t,” Mr Farraway said.
“If you’re under the age of 25, drive a car with a used car safety rating of 1 or 2 stars, or is unrated and over 16 years old you may be eligible to participate in the program and upgrade to a safer vehicle.
The average age of vehicles in NSW is 10 years, and it takes longer for newer cars with better safety technology to filter out to younger drivers, especially those in regional areas.
Electronic Stability Control and advanced safety features such as, autonomous emergency braking or Lane Keeping System technologies have proven to reduce crashes.
Steph Cooke | 13 Feb 2023 | Cowra Shire Roads and Transport
Cowra Shire Council will soon receive funding of $2,319,288 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Cowra Shire has over 1200km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $441,613 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Cowra Shire Council General Manager Paul Devery said council appreciates the ongoing support from the NSW Government in providing this additional funding.
“We have a big job in front of us over the next few years progressively bringing the roads back up to the standard expected by the community and this funding will be a major boost in achieving that aim,” Mr Devery said. The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Cowra Shire Council has secured over $5 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 7 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Steph Cooke | 09 Feb 2023 | Coolamon Shire Roads and Transport
Coolamon Shire Council will soon receive funding of $2,552,095 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Coolamon Shire has over 1400km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have secure this funding, which builds on an initial cash injection of $480,671 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once this deed is executed the money will go into the bank.”
Coolamon Shire Council General Manager, Mr Tony Donoghue said this funding means works can be carried out sooner, getting the roads back to being safe and functional for the community quickly.
“We understand and appreciate the patience that our community and road users have allowed us over these recent trying weather conditions and the subsequent impact that has had on our road network.” Mr Donoghue said.
The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer.
Over the past five years, Coolamon Shire Council has secured over $3.2 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 14 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Steph Cooke | 09 Feb 2023 | Junee Shire Roads and Transport
Junee Shire Council will soon receive funding of $1,598,163 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Junee Shire has over 870km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $301,004 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Junee Shire Council General Manager, Mr James Davis said this funding is welcomed news which will be very helpful in carrying out important repairs to the road network.
“Our roads have sustained a great deal of damage, and this funding will go a long way to getting them back to ensure the safety of our community and visitors to the area,” Mr Davis said.
The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Junee Shire Council has secured over $7.4 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 6 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Steph Cooke | 09 Feb 2023 | Narrandera Shire Roads and Transport
Narrandera Shire Council will soon receive funding of $2,836,998 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Narrandera Shire has over 1500km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $534,331 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Narrandera Shire General Manager Mr George Cowan said council is grateful for the support from the State Government given the amount of work required across the network.
“The current state of our road networks is at the forefront of everyone’s mind and this funding will certainly help ease some of this pressure,” Mr Cowan said.
The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Narrandera Shire Council has secured over $5.7 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 10 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Steph Cooke | 09 Feb 2023 | Roads and Transport Weddin Shire
Weddin Shire Council will soon receive funding of $1,966,645 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Weddin Shire has over 1000km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $370,405 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Weddin Shire Council General Manager, Ms Noreen Vu said this funding will ensure that road damages across the road network can undergo urgent repairs such as corrective maintenance and some level of renewal.
“While the funding does not allow Council to provide resilient upgrades, the corrective maintenance will see heavy patching on our roads and some drainage works,” Ms Vu said.
“Council will still continue with its planned and scheduled asset renewals. We are also talking to neighbouring councils to focus on ways to look at procuring contractors for better value for money.”
The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Weddin Shire Council has secured over $16 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 8 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Steph Cooke | 09 Feb 2023 | Roads and Transport Temora Shire
Temora Shire Council will soon receive funding of $2,430,501 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Temora Shire has over 1300km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $457,770 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Temora Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rick Firman said this funding will assist the council to undertake repairs across the road network following the 2022 flood and storm events. Without this funding, Council would not have the resources to bring the network up to the required standard after such extreme events.
“We warmly thank the NSW Government for their continued support, these funds will enable network improvements, increasing safety, resident amenity and assisting the freight task for industry,” Cr Firman said.
The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Temora Shire Council has secured over $11.9 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 14 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Steph Cooke | 09 Feb 2023 | Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Roads and Transport
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will soon receive funding of $2,491,307 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Cootamundra-Gundagai region has over 1300km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $473,892 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Deputy General Manager of Operations, Mr Matt Stubbs said council welcomes the funding that will greatly assist with repairing the road network that has been impacted by wet weather over the past 12 months.
“Council faces a significant challenge to bring the network back to an acceptable level and this funding enables us to commence the planning and scheduling of much-needed repairs,” Mr Stubbs said.
The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has secured over $9.6 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 20 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
