More jobs, better roads for Lake Macquarie
2 June 2021
Safer journeys are on the way across Lake Macquarie, with $2.5 million in joint Federal and New South Wales Government funding set to flow towards an upgrade of Ocean Street at Dudley under the latest round of the Fixing Local Roads program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Round 2 of the program, which is improving local roads and creating over 1,000 local jobs in the regions, would accelerate improvement works on 108 road projects.
“The funding in Round 2 gives councils much-needed assistance to tackle the increasing amount of work required to provide safe roads for their communities, like repairing, patching, maintaining and sealing,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Safe and reliable roads are essential to regional communities.
“Round 2 projects will help residents and businesses recover from the combined impacts of bushfires, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the $691 million Fixing Local Roads program is helping to build a safer, stronger regional NSW.
“Better maintained roads mean safer trips to school, to work and to the shops – and the NSW Government is committed to helping councils create jobs, drive productivity and keep our regional communities connected,” Mr Toole said.
“Big infrastructure projects might create a lot of headlines, but these are small projects that make a big difference in people’s everyday lives.
“We’re injecting even more funding into the roads in the bush that communities depend on, which means a safer and smoother journey for everyone.”
Senator for NSW Hollie Hughes said the $2.5 million would be invested in upgrading 355 metres of Ocean Street at Dudley, near the intersection with Pitt Street.
“The first round of the program last year is delivering two projects across Lake Macquarie and now we’re building on that with a further $2.5 million for Ocean Street,” Senator Hughes said.
“I am pleased to note that the program will also deliver the Ruttleys Road project in Wyee and the improvements to Racecourse Road at Teralba, funded under the first round.”
All successful projects will be completed within two years of receiving funding to ensure local communities see the benefits as quickly as possible.
The Australian Government has committed $191 million to the Fixing Local Roads program, building on the NSW Government’s $500 million commitment.
Round 1 saw $243.6 million in joint funding allocated to 253 projects in 83 Local Government Areas. Round 2 will see $150 million allocated to 108 projects in 90 Local Government Areas.
Guidelines and a factsheet for Round 2 of the Fixing Local Roads can be found at Fixing local roads.