Joint media release

The Mid North Coast and Coffs Coast are set to benefit from the Federal and State Liberals Nationals Governments second round of infrastructure spending stimulus open to applications from councils today.

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.

“Our Government acted early and allocated $1.5 billion for shovel-ready infrastructure projects nationally in early June in order to get investment flowing into communities and to support local jobs,” he said.

“Now that Round 1 of the Fixing Local Roads Package projects are underway, it’s great to have Round 2 kicking off quickly and I encourage local councils to take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade local roads and apply.”

State Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said Fixing Local Roads was helping councils repair, maintain and seal the roads that really mattered to regional communities.

“This is about delivering small projects that can make a big difference for local communities – projects like sealing Maria River Road which gained $17 million in Round 1 of this program,” she said.

“Further north, $2 million was awarded to Kempsey Shire Council to resurface South West Rocks Road and Nambucca Valley Council received a total of $1,098,150 to improve six local roads.

“This program is making a real difference to local roads and provides a financial injection to councils and local contractors and businesses at a time when it’s needed.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government committed $191 million in June to build on the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads Package.

“We’ve already seen $243.6 million of joint funding go towards 253 shovel-ready projects in 84 Local Government Areas in the first round of funding and this latest round will see another $136.4 million injected into regional New South Wales to generate more jobs and stimulate local economies,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“It will mean smoother, safer trips to school, work or even the shops and most importantly, it will create much-needed jobs in hundreds of communities.”

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government had accelerating its funding for the program to get more projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads under way faster.

“We’re not just putting our foot down in terms of delivering this package – we’re turbocharging it to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities,” Mr Toole said.

Applications for Round 2 of the program are open from today until Friday 4 December 2020.

Projects will need to start this financial year and be delivered within two years, to ensure local communities see the benefits as quickly as possible.

Updated guidelines and a factsheet for Round 2 of Fixing Local Roads can be found here.

Media contacts:

Deputy Prime Minister’s Office: Jo Williamson 0418 475 668 | Dean Shachar 0418 202 860

Minister Toole: Ella Smith 0428 745 348

Mr Conaghan’s office: Liz Spry 0418 928 744

Ms Pavey’s office: Alice Burnet 0439 407 567