Funding within the program will be allocated to successful councils in January next year based on the recommendations of an independent assessment panel.

In order to secure federal funds, NSW Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay said councils must demonstrate to the panel that their infrastructure projects are deliverable and will improve access and productivity as well as yield growth and economic benefits.

“The evaluation will include a final cost-benefit appraisal and a focus on delivering clearly defined planning and construction schedules,” Gay said.

“The Assessment Panel is made up of representatives from the NSW Farmers Association, Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association of NSW, Local Government NSW, Infrastructure NSW and senior officials from Transport for NSW Freight and Regional Development and the Office of Local Government.

“This is a prime example of taking politics out of infrastructure funding; not to mention utilising the knowledge and expertise of recognised industry leaders from country NSW.”

Fixing Country Roads is a program funded through the Restart NSW infrastructure fund.

“It will help better connect local and regional roads to state highways and key intermodal sites such as rail heads, grain silos, fuel depots, supermarket distribution centres, abattoirs, saleyards and feedlots,” Gay said.

“I encourage councils whose EoI [expressions of interest] applications have been shortlisted to attend the full application information sessions that will be held across regional NSW, including Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Maitland, Coffs Harbour and Batemans Bay.”

For more information, including the full application forms and the schedule of information sessions, visit freight.transport.nsw.gov.au.