An NRMA report has revealed the local roads infrastructure backlog has soared almost thirty per cent under the Nationals and Liberal government since 2014-15.
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The report claims the Regional and Local roads infrastructure backlog in NSW has been sharply increasing and is "now at an unacceptable level, with obvious safety risks apparent and connectivity between rural, regional and urban centres suffering."
"Over several recent years, the funding backlog has risen by almost 30 per cent from $1.73 billion in 2014-15 to $2.2 billion in 2016-17," the report said.
"Allocating $60 million per annum from the Regional Growth Fund and or Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund over a five-year period would fund the gross replacement cost of all regional NSW roads requiring urgent renewal or upgrade."
Labor says the report backs its roads funding plan.
Country Labor candidate for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence said a Daley Labor Government would assist local councils to clear their regional road maintenance backlog by investing an additional $900 million in regional and rural roads – almost double the existing $500m fixing regional roads program – and bringing the total investment to $1.4 billion.
"Our policy comes after eight long years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, who have cheated regional and rural NSW out of almost half the infrastructure spending they were promised," he said.
“The Liberals and Nationals have been busy focusing on stadiums and corporate boxes and have failed to support local councils.
“These funds will help get roads throughout the electorate back to an acceptable standard such as Curra Creek Road, Gollan Rd, Cobbora Road, Cumnock Rd, Renshaw McGirr Way, Swift St, Samuel St, Charles St, Mogriguy Rd, Minore Rd and Wheelers lane. There are of course others."
But, National Party candidate for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the NSW government has doubled its roads budget and is working through the backlog left by the Labor government.
"The NSW government has delivered more than $10 million to the councils in Fixing Country Roads and Rail Grants since its inception in 2014, of course, there is more to do," he said.
"The Opposition Leader as Roads Minister cost shifted $477 million worth of roads to local government with only $10 million in compensation."
"The Liberals and Nationals in government will continue to work with our local government partners to review how assets are managed to further increase service standards and value to the people of NSW."