$6.9 million roads boost

Moree Plains Shire Council will receive a $6.9 million boost for road upgrades.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall made the announcement alongside mayor Mark Johnson at Amaroo Drive, Moree, one of the roads likely to benefit from funding.

Moree Plains Shire Mayor Mark Johnson said council was grateful for the state government’s support.

“Council is excited to be receiving the additional $6.9 million from the Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund,” Cr Johnson said.

“This additional funding was unexpected and will enable council to bring forward vital road repair works which we are extremely grateful for.”

Mr Marshall said the funding is fantastic news for Moree Plains Shire Council with every dollar of this funding boost going towards essential upgrades and maintenance on local roads, including gravel re-sheeting and new bitumen.

“Moree Plains Shire’s local road network is the largest in the Northern Tablelands – an enormous 2,466 kilometres and the repair task and never ending,” Mr Marshall said.

“Roads were severely impacted by last year’s devastating floods and this money will help boost essential repair work to help make roads safer and stronger, especially for thew growing freight task.”

Mr Marshall said the funding was secured under the NSW government’s Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund.

“Under this fund, councils are allocated money based on the size of their local road network,” he said.

“It is welcomed finance for councils, as fixing local roads is one of their biggest expenditures.”

Council will make decisions shortly as to where the funding will be spent.