The New South Wales Government has announced that it will soon reclassify two roads in Muswellbrook Shire from local to state, meaning responsibility for their maintenance will transfer away from Council.
Bengalla Road and Wybong Road, between Bengalla Road and the Golden Highway, will be reclassified, transferring responsibility for the roads to the State Government and opening the door to more potential investment.
Both of these roads are important freight transport routes that have previously been tasked with handling over size and/or over mass (OSOM) vehicle movements for the mines in the Muswellbrook local government area.
With more OSOM vehicles increasingly needing to access Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) in the Central West Orana and New England Regions, the New South Wales Government is looking to support council through this road reclassification and agreeing to take responsibility for management of the roads given the critical role they play in securing the state’s future energy supply.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said that the New South Wales Government is proud to be getting on with the job of preparing roads in the regions for the state’s future energy needs and supporting local councils.
“In addition to our $128.5 million investment in planning and delivering port to project upgrades announced in the budget, the ongoing investment that will be released through the reclassification will take the financial burden off Muswellbrook Council, whose ratepayers contribute so much to the wealth of our state,” Minister Aitchison said.
“I thank Muswellbrook Shire Council for its advocacy, patience and commitment to working together to improve roads in the region.”
The New South Wales Government’s spokesperson for Upper Hunter, Emily Suvaal, said that residents of Upper Hunter know that certain local roads are critical to support over size and/or over mass (OSOM) vehicle movements.
“The reclassification of these roads to state roads will remove a significant financial and administrative burden on Muswellbrook Council from a planning and operational perspective, as these movements will continue for many years,” Ms Suvaal said.
“This is a welcome and necessary step in the New South Wales Government’s plan to transform the way the state moves renewable energy equipment throughout the state.”
Muswellbrook Mayor, Steve Reynolds, said that improving the current condition of the region’s roads and bringing them to an acceptable standard before these truck movements begin is crucial.
“Council’s priority, as always, is the safety of residents and we welcome the reclassification of these roads from local to state,” Mayor Reynolds said.
“Road conditions must be fit for purpose, and strategies in place to minimise the impact on road users, such as laybacks. Continual maintenance is paramount so as our ratepayers don’t carry the burden.”
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