The region’s councils are set to benefit from even more financial support with the Government’s plan to fast-track advanced payments of more than $20 million in emergency funding in Northern and Southern regions for urgent work to restore access to flood-impacted areas.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said that after he had raised the issue of the region’s damaged roads with the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, it was great to see that councils across the Tamworth electorate will now receive $5.5 million in emergency funding.

“We know how devastating last year’s record rainfall was on our local road network and road crews have been working around the clock to make our roads safe again,” Mr Anderson said.

“We also know the financial pressure this puts on our councils which is why I have been fighting hard to see more road funding delivered for our damaged road network.

“The $6.5 million in of fast-tracked funding will give our councils the funding they need to get on with the job of repairing and rebuilding the damaged road network much sooner which is great news for local families.”

“This funding is in addition to the $500 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program which I know will deliver millions more for the region.”

As part of today’s emergency funding announcement councils in the Tamworth Electorate will receive:

• Tamworth Regional Council - $2 million
• Gunnedah Shire Council - $2 million
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council - $1.5 million

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the cash is being directed straight to councils which, with their detailed knowledge of their local region and roads, are best placed to identify those critical priority areas.

“This new support is on top of more than $60 million in emergency funding already provided to councils devastated by severe weather across the Central West and North Coast last year,” Mr Farraway said.  

“It’s evident more now than ever that we need to build our infrastructure back to be more resilient against mother nature, which is why the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government pushed for the $312.5 million Betterment Program for councils in the Northern Rivers.

“This new, first of its kind, natural disaster funding program allows councils to build back their road and transport infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, it’s the way of the future and will help our great state to come back stronger after a natural disaster.”