Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders encouraging councils to apply for road fixing program

The government's $500 million Fixing Local Roads program is for councils like Dubbo to repair, maintain or seal local roads.

Council looks after 415 kilometres of urban streets and 2320 kilometres of rural roads in the local government area. At the start of the financial year, 42 per cent of the roads remained unsealed.

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said the government was aware local councils struggled at times to repair roads.

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"This program is specifically designed to help local councils get through some of the backlog they might have with those local roads. It's all about repairing, maintaining and sealing local roads," he said.

Travelling across his electorate, Mr Saunders said he had seen roads in need of repair.

"There are so many roads that need a bit of a reseal. Sometimes you see lots of potholes being fixed and then a day later they're gone again. This is really about doing repairs in a better way, resealing where needed, and making sure the maintenance schedule is kept up-to-date," he said.

Fixing the problem roads would not only make them safer, but make it easier for people to drive in the region, the MP said.

He said the road improvement works would also contribute to local employment.

Applications under round one of the program will close on December 2, with successful projects announced in early 2020.

Mr Saunders said priority would be given to shovel-ready projects.