The Federal and New South Wales Governments have announced the 57 projects that will share in the $312.5 million commitment to help rebuild damaged roads and transport infrastructure in 26 disaster-declared councils in northern New South Wales.
The Regional Road and Transport Recovery Package means roads can be not just rebuilt, but also improved to withstand future extreme natural weather events.
A total of 57 projects that will improve the resilience of roads, bridges and causeways have been successful under this package, which will greatly benefit local communities now and into the future.
Successful council projects include:
- Armidale – New roadside drainage
- Ballina – Raising of Ross Lane and construction of a bridge structure
- Bellingen – New retaining walls, safety barriers, road widening, improved drainage and road rehabilitation, and betterment of four major roads by upgrading and sealing of unsealed sections, drainage improvement and replacement of drainage structures
- Byron – Damage restoration, shoulder widening and construction of stormwater drainage infrastructure, as well as pavement failure and damage restoration, shoulder widening, drainage structures and associated road approaches
- Central Coast – Reinstate the second lane at two failure sites and improve road resilience
- Clarence Valley – Raising of road levels by approximately one metre
- Coffs Harbour – Subgrade stabilisation and pavement improvements
- Dungog – Remove and replace the existing suspension bridge and remove the need to use the natural river crossing
- Glen Innes Severn – Pavement strengthening with cement stabilisation
- Kempsey – Replacement of causeway with bridge structure
- Kyogle – Replace existing bridge with new dual lane concrete structure at raised height and increase road width, improve road geometry, implement Road Safety Audit recommendations, drainage improvements and pavement stabilisation
- Lake Macquarie – Pavement stabilisation and drainage upgrades
- Lismore – Betterment of ten strategic culverts and causeways
- Maitland – Replace existing bridge with new dual lane concrete structure at raised height
- Mid-Coast – Road pavement upgrade, raising and strengthening
- Muswellbrook – Road pavement upgrade and scour protection and embankment works
- Nambucca Valley – Raising of six priority bridges for improved flood immunity
- Newcastle – Renewal of Old Maitland Road Hexham including shoulder construction on both sides
- Kempsey, Port Macquarie – Upgrade and sealing of road. Stabilising pavement, increased road level, improved drainage capacity
- Port Macquarie-Hastings – Upgrade of three timber bridges and realignment/sealing of unsealed Stoney Creek Road
- Richmond Valley – Catch fencing, removal of debris and improved drainage, as well as design, construct and install culverts of MR145 Woodburn Coraki Road
- Singleton – Raising of bridge by three metres above existing level, and raising of road at two locations to remain above flood levels
- Tenterfield – Bridge lengthening, widening and increased level. Pier replacement and sewer relocation
- Tweed – Replacement of causeways
- Upper Hunter – Improvement of gravel causeways through installation of new PSC causeways, and upgrades of stormwater drainage at 43 nominated crossings
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the program is about restoring roads in flood-impacted communities, but also making sure they’re more capable of withstanding future natural disasters.
“This will ensure communities are safer, and will also reduce repair costs in the future,” Ms King said.
“The Federal Government is committed to projects that will make a difference long term, and it’s great to see that result here.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said straight after the floods, the Federal and New South Wales Government’s activated disaster recovery funding to help councils with emergency repair work, to help regions get back on their feet.
“We know that longer-term support to build back better is really important to make sure communities are better prepared for future natural disasters,” Mr Watt said.
“Under this program, roads and transport infrastructure will be rebuilt to a higher standard, making it more resilient to future disasters.”
The Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package is equally co-funded by Federal and New South Wales governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
New South Wales Minister of Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, said the New South Wales Government is moving the state forward by building back better the infrastructure projects needed to withstand future extreme weather events and emergencies.
“It is an enormous change to the way governments respond to natural disasters and is the first time we have built improved resilience into our natural disaster recovery programs,” Mr Farraway said.
“It made little sense to see, for example, a road washed away in one flood and for a council to repair it, only for it to wash away again in the next.
“This program is just one part of the New South Wales Government’s comprehensive plan to ensure the transport infrastructure is resilient to withstand future disasters, reduce recovery costs, keep New South Wales communities connected and keep our supply chain operational and efficient.”
Further information about the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package is available here
