Roads and Transport

While the development of the Draft Hunter Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) is welcomed by the region’s councils, it needs to be supported by a clear, transparent delivery program to prioritise, drive and monitor its implementation.  We look forward to working collaboratively with NSW Government to achieve the outcomes of the SRITP.

One of the biggest challenges for Local Government is funding for roads. Regional communities manage vastly greater road networks and have historically had to bear an undue burden when it comes to road funding compared with capital city counterparts. This is amplified through Federal Financial Assistance Grant funding allocations which continue to provide inequities to regional communities.

Metropolitan councils manage a much smaller road network, meaning their funding needs are significantly lower. To put this into perspective, if 5% of the road network were renewed to the same standard each year, the relative cost would be about $75 per ratepayer in Sydney, compared with over $250 in Newcastle, $1,800 in Singleton and more than $3,800 per ratepayer in Dungog. This clearly disadvantages the affordability and capacity of regional and rural councils and their communities to maintain their road networks.

Click the image to view the pdf.