Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan today welcomed the Australian and NSW Government’s announcement they have joined forces to turbocharge a program which will improve local roads and create regional jobs.

The Australian Government has committed $191 million to build on the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads program, ensuring even more regional communities reap the benefits faster.

The injection will see joint funding allocated to shovel-ready projects able to start in the next 12 months, driving an estimated 3,500 jobs in regional NSW.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said this is a great shot in the arm for regional areas like ours and will deliver better roads for local motorists.

“The Fixing Local Roads Package will provide a funding injection to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to support local road projects, jobs and local contractors,” she said.

“In Port Macquarie, Highfield Circuit and Toorak Court will both undergo much-needed repairs as well as an asphalt overlay at a cost of $305,000.”

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects was important to help the region’s economy recover from COVID-19.

“Every single job that we support makes a huge difference in our local communities – now and as we navigate out of the pandemic,” Mr Conaghan said.

“It’s good to hear allocation of the $1.5 billion our Government announced for shovel-ready infrastructure projects in early June is happening and a total of $451 million is going to New South Wales.

“I look forward to seeing our rural and local roads upgraded by this investment and the safety or motorists improved.”

The Australian Government has committed $191 million to build on the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads Package. Applications for Round 2 of this program open later this year.

The rest of the Australian Government’s $451 million investment in New South Wales has been allocated to a $120 million Pinch Point Road Program in Sydney and $140 million to further targeted road safety upgrades that are yet to be announced.

Further road projects will be announced next week.

Media contacts:
Leslie Williams’ Office Terry Sara 0409 834 648
Pat Conaghan’s Office Liz Spry 0418 928 744