DROUGHT RELIEF HEAVY VEHICLE ACCESS PROGRAM HELPS BLAND KEEP ROADS IN GREAT FREIGHT SHAPE
Wednesday, 30 January 2019
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke today announced a grant of almost $300,000 to help Bland Shire keep a key road in good shape during efforts to maintain drought relief.
Rankins Springs Road at Naradhan will receive $298,013 worth of maintenance from Bland Shire Council thanks to a NSW Government grant under the Drought Relief Heavy Vehicle Access Program.
“The drought is increasing its grip as the weeks pass us by and trucks are carrying vital relief to where it’s needed,” Ms Cooke said.
“This can place additional stresses on road surfaces, which are maintained by local councils, so the Drought Relief Heavy Vehicle Access Program has been implemented to make things a little easier,” Ms Cooke added.
Ms Cooke said the Liberals and Nationals in government have been working in partnership with Local Government NSW to evaluate submissions received by local councils across the state.
“Three councils from the Cootamundra electorate have been successful in applying for up to $300,000 to help with road maintenance and improvements to accommodate increased freight movements,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Drought Relief Heavy Vehicle Access Program has been running since October last year and offers an additional $15 million toward the cost of maintenance and minor improvement work on council roads and roadsides across NSW.
“These improvements will contribute to heavy vehicle access, in support of the drought relief task.
“The changes will support farmers impacted by the drought by improving heavy vehicle access on local roads, which has increased as a result of the drought conditions.”
In July last year, the NSW Government announced a $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package, taking the NSW Government total drought support to more than $1 billion.
