Steph Cooke | 25 Oct 2022 | All LGAs Bland Shire Coolamon Shire Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Cowra Shire Hilltops Council Junee Shire Narrandera Shire Roads and Transport Temora Shire Weddin Shire
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $50 million to help regional and rural councils fix the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme wet weather.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, Councils across the electorate can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs.
“It is hard to drive anywhere on our road network without dodging potholes as a result of the wet weather we have experienced this year,” Ms Cooke said.
“We have heard the calls for help loud and clear and fixing the hundreds of potholes caused by recent heavy rains and flooding is a priority.
“This additional support will help ease the pressure local councils are facing and boost the resources they can draw upon to repair their most damaged roads to improve safety and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said NSW has had more than its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather and that more than 135,000 potholes have been repaired on State roads in regional NSW since February.
“We certainly have plenty more potholes that still require attention, particularly on council-managed roads, which is why our Government is putting more money on the table for councils to repair potholes on the roads regional communities use every day,” Mr Farraway said.
“This funding is available to help every regional council across the state to carry out emergency repairs and would fix roughly more than 420,000 potholes on their roads.”
The new funding builds on the $500 million invested by the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads program to help regional councils repair, maintain and seal local roads across the state.
Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed between 1 January 2023 and 1 January 2024.
Applications for funding are open for two weeks from today with funding announced in November so councils can begin work as soon as possible.
Steph Cooke | 26 Jul 2022 | All LGAs Bland Shire Coolamon Shire Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Cowra Shire Hilltops Council Junee Shire Narrandera Shire News Roads and Transport Temora Shire Uncategorized Weddin Shire
More roads in the Cootamundra electorate are in line for vital repair, maintenance and sealing work with Round Four of the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program now open.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said previous rounds of the program have allocated over $45 million to deliver road projects across the nine local government areas of the Cootamundra electorate.
“We have seen crucial road projects supported through every round of Fixing Local Roads and with the fourth round now open, councils in our region have the chance to apply for funding to deliver more,” Ms Cooke said.
“Works may include sealing, resurfacing, gravel road maintenance, drainage improvement and patching, leading to more reliable, safer journeys with less wear and tear on vehicles.”
“These improvements help stimulate our regional economy and contribute to the social wellbeing of families, farmers and freight who rely on these roads to get to work, education and services.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said the NSW Government has already funded almost 500 Fixing Local Roads projects across 95 regional councils and now with Round Four opening, even more projects will get underway.
“NSW has certainly had its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather, and while we cannot control Mother Nature, we can control our response by improving the standard of our local road network,” Mr Farraway said.
So far, the Fixing Local Roads program has provided $547 million for 498 projects over three rounds. Of these, 203 are now completed with a further 295 in the planning and construction phases.
“After 16 years, the former Labor Government left NSW with a $30 billion infrastructure backlog, our Government is building our way forward with a $19.4 billion regional roads and transport infrastructure pipeline.”
Steph Cooke | 22 Jul 2022 | Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council News Roads and Transport Uncategorized
The NSW Government has today announced the Hillas Creek timber bridge at Mundarlo will receive funding through Round Two of the $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said it is fantastic that the NSW Government is investing in stronger and longer lasting infrastructure in regional NSW.
“This funding will allow for Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council to upgrade Hillas Creek Bridge from a timber bridge to concrete bridge.”
“Safer and stronger bridges will help keep motorists moving around the region for generations to come.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said $49.25 million has been awarded to replace 34 timber bridges with concrete bridges across 21 Local Government Areas (LGA).
“Our government is getting on with the job of building infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events and protect our supply chain,” Mr Farraway said.
“That’s why we’re pushing ahead with Round 2A of the Fixing Country Bridges program in LGAs where councils are ready to get work, so these projects can get started.
A total of $290 million has already been awarded to councils under Round 1 of Fixing Country Bridges to replace more than 400 timber structures across 54 LGAs across the state.
Steph Cooke | 18 Mar 2022 | Local projects News Uncategorized
Motorists will soon be better protected along the Olympic Highway with safety barriers to be installed between Cowra and Albury from Monday, 21 March 2022.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the State Government has provided $1.5 million under the Saving Lives on Country Roads program for important safety upgrades to help keep motorists safe on our regional roads.
“Flexible safety barriers absorb the impact felt by drivers and their passengers when a crash occurs, minimising the chance of serious injury or death,” Ms Cooke said.
“They are installed on roadsides with the highest risk such as significant curves and steep embankments because they have been found to reduce the severity of high risk, head-on, and run-off road crashes by 95 per cent.”
About eight kilometres of new barrier will be installed in sections between Cowra and Albury, with most of the work concentrated between Cootamundra and Cowra.
From 21 March 2022 motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions including single lane closures, reduced speed limits of 40 km/h and traffic control.
Work to install the barriers will be carried out Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm. Work is expected to take eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Motorists are advised to follow the direction of traffic control and to allow an extra five minutes travel time.
Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.
For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
Steph Cooke | 15 Oct 2021 | Local projects News Uncategorized
Work will start next week to improve safety for motorists at the intersection of Bendick Murrell Road and the Olympic Highway.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Government has committed $4.5 million through the Safer Roads Program.
“Improving safety for motorists turning off towards the town of Bendick Murrell is a top priority. In the five years to 2017, there were 13 accidents, including nine crashes resulting in injuries and one fatality. Even one life lost on NSW roads is one too many,” Ms Cooke said.
“The upgrade includes a dedicated right-turn lane from the highway onto Bendick Murrell Road for southbound traffic, as well as a left-hand deceleration lane for northbound highway traffic, road widening and removing trees to improve visibility.
“We’ll also be installing roadside safety barriers, improving line marking and providing new signage to increase awareness for Olympic Highway motorists on approach to the intersection.”
The work starting next week will be carried out between 7am and 5pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. The project is expected to take six months to complete, weather permitting.
Changed traffic conditions including single lane closures closest to where work is taking place will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.
For the latest traffic updates, download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701
Further maintenance and repair of local roads is coming, with 13 new road projects across the region thanks to the latest round of the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads Program.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has welcomed the funding to improve roads for regional communities, farmers and freight, with the projects amongst 138 to rollout under the $153 million third round of the program.
“These projects will give councils a helping hand to address their maintenance backlog and to maintain roads that really matter to their communities, delivering safer trips to school or to the shops, as well as more efficient journeys for freight operators and primary producers,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our community is already reaping the benefits of this program with over $30 million invested over previous rounds and the latest round of funding will see investment in each Local Government Area in the electorate.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said Fixing Local Roads had already delivered more than $394 million for 361 projects across 91 regional Local Government Areas from Armidale to Albury in the first two rounds.
“We know that sometimes it’s small projects that can drive big benefits in the bush. This program is helping to deliver better journeys on the roads families use every day,” Mr Toole said.
“Communities across the state are already reaping the benefits of this program with 97 projects now open to traffic – and today’s announcement will see councils deliver a further 138 projects over the next two years.
“These projects won’t just ensure that locals see the benefits of this investment every time they get behind the wheel, they’re also supporting an additional 1,374 jobs throughout construction.
“Small projects like these not only make a big difference to the roads locals use every day, but they’ll also support the domestic tourist market when our regions open up again.”
The following projects are being announced under this round of funding:
Council Name
Project Title
FLR Funding
Bland Shire Council
South Yalgogrin Road – Sealing
$ 2,983,680
Coolamon Shire Council
Chamberlains Lane, Coolamon – Sealing
$ 1,055,769
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Salt Clay Lane, Cootamundra – Rehabilitation & Sealing
$315,000
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Old Gundagai Road, Cootamundra – Rehabilitation & Sealing
Fixing Local Roads is a $500 million NSW Government program, which was boosted by the Australian Government over the first two rounds with an additional $191 million.
Further information about the Fixing Local Roads Program can be found at nswroads.work/fixinglocalroads.
The Cootamundra electorate will receive $5,670,000 for vital road safety works as round four of the $822 million Safer Roads Program begins to roll out.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the investment being made through the Safer Roads Program was saving lives on our roads.
“Projects like these make a huge difference to locals, visitors, primary producers and transport operators, and help ensure everyone who travels on our roads makes it home safely at the end of the day,” Ms Cooke said.
“The NSW Government is committed to reducing the road toll and it is estimated the program will prevent the loss of more than 1500 lives and serious injuries on our roads over 15 years.”
“This round of the program will see $135 million invested in 78 new projects across the state as well as continuing projects from previous rounds.”
“These road improvements are designed to save lives and will include:
Hume Highway – Gundagai South of river – Install new median flexible barrier and replace existing roadside semi-rigid barrier
Hume Highway – Gundagai North of river – Install central median safety barrier including median shoulder widening
Burley Griffin Way, Galong – Flexible barriers, CAMs, curve and advisory speed signage, vegetation clearing for clear zone and formation widening on northern curve
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said this latest round of the program built on the Federal and NSW Government’s $408 million commitment in March to deliver hundreds of projects designed to reduce road trauma and save lives.
“Both governments have a shared goal of no deaths or serious injuries on our roads, because no one should have to hear the devastating news that a loved one has lost their life in a crash,” Mr Toole said.
“More than $92 million of this funding will be invested in making our regional roads safer through improvements like safety barriers, rumble strips and wide centre lines.
“We know how important good roads are in the bush – projects like these are ensuring every trip is a safer one and building on our vision for a safer, stronger regional NSW.”
Statewide round four of the Safer Roads Program will deliver:
28 kilometres of safety barrier, which absorb impact forces and protect vehicle occupants, reducing the severity of head-on and run-off-road crashes by up to 95 per cent.
167 kilometres of rumble strips to alert motorists they are departing from their lane, reducing the likelihood of this crash type by up to 25 per cent.
More than 30 kilometres of wide centreline providing a greater distance for drivers to recover from lane departure, reducing the likelihood of head-on crashes by up to 50 per cent and run-off-road crashes by up to 25 per cent.
313 high-risk rural curve improvements including shoulder sealing, safety barriers, rumble strips, signage upgrades and line-marking upgrades.
47 urban intersection improvement projects including roundabouts and traffic signal upgrades.
