The NSW Government has set up an expert panel to identify up to 15,000 kilometres of regional and rural council-managed roads to be transferred back to State control.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro said the Panel would conduct a review of the road classification framework and recommend roads for transfer to the State Government.
Mr Barilaro said the transfer would take the financial burden off local councils and ratepayers.
“Everyone in a regional area has a story about a road that isn’t up to scratch and turns their knuckles white when driving on it – and that isn’t good enough,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This project is even more important now, with the drought and bushfires heavily impacting regional councils,” he said.
“Road maintenance is something they shouldn’t have to manage on their own.”
Mr Barilaro said former NRMA president, Wendy Machin would chair the panel and be supported by five other members with expertise and experience in roads, transport, engineering, Local Government and other sectors.
He said the other members of the Panel were: Peter Duncan; Jillian Kilby; John Roydhouse; Michael Kilgariff; and Peter Tegart.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole said the Panel would conduct extensive consultations with councils and other key stakeholders, and was not expected to deliver its report until July 2021 at the earliest.
