$1 billion win for local roads: NRMA

NRMA has today welcomed an almost $1 billion election commitment from NSW Labor to help rural and regional councils close the gap on road maintenance, just three weeks after the NRMA released its Funding Local Roads report.

The NRMA has also welcomed an additional $275 million for the Pinch Points program to help ease congestion hotspots, committing a total spend of $1.1 billion on the program.

The NRMA’s Funding Local Roads report, released last week in conjunction with the launch of its Rate Your Road election survey, found NSW Councils had reported a $2.2 billion backlog in funding required to maintain roads to a safe standard.

The overwhelming majority of the backlog ($1.7 billion) fell to regional councils. The $2.2 billion statewide backlog represents an almost 15 per cent increase on the previous year’s results.

A record 21,000 surveys have now been completed and the NRMA is again calling on Members of the community to have their say, with the survey open till Sunday 24 February. The record-breaking survey is accessible via the my nrma app for Members and on rateyourroad.com.au.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury welcomed the significant funding commitment to support regional councils and boost efforts to ease congestion in Sydney.

“With 39 days left till the NSW Election now is the time for both parties to outline how they will keep NSW moving,” Mr Khoury said.

“The announcement by NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley and Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay is welcomed by the NRMA. It helps address a critical shortage in funding needed by councils – as was called out by the NRMA last month.”

Contact: Peter Khoury 0439 133 115