Pooncarie Road

Far West NSW communities have access to a safer, more resilient and smoother Pooncarie Road following completion of historic $48.8 million Australian and NSW Government-funded sealing projects.

The Australian Government invested $31.7 million and the NSW Government contributed $17.1 million to the projects, which were delivered by Wentworth Shire Council and Central Darling Shire Council between 2021 and 2024.

Before the projects were delivered, an 87.5-kilometre stretch of Pooncarie Road between Menindee and Pooncarie had a dirt surface that meant motorists had to deal with a less safe surface, slower travel times and regular road closures after heavy rainfall leaving some communities cut off for weeks at a time.

The sealing projects completed in recent months have led to easier access to essential services communities rely on, while also boosting freight efficiency and improving access to tourism opportunities, including for visitors to the popular Menindee Lakes. 

More than 75 people worked on the sealing projects which also provided a boost to local employment.

Crews from Central Darling Shire Council have completed 49.1 kilometres of a total of 61 kilometres of sealing work on Pooncarie Road in Central Darling Shire.  Wentworth Shire Council recommenced work in July 2023 to seal the final 26.5 kilometres in Wentworth Shire and is forecast to complete this work in December 2023. 

When all works are completed, the project will see a total of 87.5 kilometres of road sealed between Menindee and Pooncarie by 2024.

Pooncarie Road has been reopened to traffic under caution at Yampoola Creek with traffic advised to follow appropriate traffic control and signage. To date, Central Darling Council has sealed 33.6km of the road.

Central Darling Shire Council have transformed nine kilometres of remote Pooncarie Road from dirt to bitumen seal in the first milestone for the jointly funded infrastructure upgrade project. This first milestone in the project to seal 61-kilometres of road was reached after work started in January this year.

Early next year, Wentworth Shire Council will start work on the southern end of the project length.

The Australian and NSW Governments have provided $48.8 million to jointly fund the sealing of Pooncarie Road from dirt to bitumen.

Pooncarie Road connects people in the Menindee Lakes area with emergency and health services, schools and suppliers - and the freight operators who bring these supplies - such as groceries.

About 75 people will be employed during the project which will boost local employment and unlock opportunities for primary producers and tourism operators.

The 87.5 kilometres of bitumen sealing to be carried out over the next three years will ensure motorists enjoy safer, faster and more reliable journeys with 61 kilometres to be sealed through the Central Darling Shire and 26.5 kilometres through Wentworth Shire.

A fully sealed road will reduce travel times by about 90 minutes between Menindee and Wentworth when completed.

• Pooncarie Road Update December 2024
  
  Historic sealing projects deliver safety gains, improved reliability for Outback motorists.

• Pooncarie Road Update July 2023
  
  Wentworth Shire Council has recommenced road works on Pooncarie Road.

• Pooncarie Road Update June 2023
  
  Pooncarie Road project – on track & reaching milestones.

• Pooncarie Road Update December 2022
  
  Pooncarie Rd reopens as progress underway on sealing to Menindee following weather events.

• 21 January 2021
  
  Entire length of Pooncarie Road to be sealed opening accesss to Menindee Lakes.