Council will receive $23 million in funding over five years — from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2029 — under the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.
The Roads to Recovery Program supports the construction and maintenance of local roads, providing greater accessibility and improving safety and economic and social outcomes for communities.
Campaspe Mayor Rob Amos was excited by the news and said it would help the council progress important road works throughout the shire.
“Previously, in the 2019 to 2024 funding of the same program, the council received $13 million to deliver road upgrades,’’ he said.
‘’We’re thrilled to see a $10 million increase for the next five years to continue providing safe and accessible roads in the shire.
“The funding complements the additional $5.2 million that the council adopted in the 2023-24 financial year for new equipment and staffing resources.
‘’This will be a huge help as we continue to maintain more than 4000km of roads within the shire.
“At this stage, we’re waiting for confirmation of how the funding will be divided over the five-year period to help plan upgrades and repairs.”
The funding comes after councillors noted the results of the 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey conducted in March, in which road maintenance and repairs were highlighted as an ongoing significant issue for the Campaspe Shire community.
“We’ve heard residents through the Community Satisfaction Survey and know that road maintenance and repairs remain a significant issue for the community,” Cr Amos said.
“The next review of council’s road management plan is currently being conducted and will be released for public comment in the coming weeks.
“There will be an opportunity for the community to have their say around the way that council maintains and upgrades roads, footpaths and drains.”
While Cr Amos and council staff were unsure how the substantial funds would be allocated and divided over the five-year period, they couldn’t help but be excited about the financial aid and what it could mean for Campaspe Shire.
“We don’t know how that funding will be allocated and what that’ll look like as it has just been announced; the infrastructure team will need to do some work as to how that money will be spent, whether it’s more equipment or more time on the road,” Cr Amos said.
“We are unsure what it means yet, but that will have to be worked out. Ten million dollars over five years is a significant increase, so it will make a material difference.’’
Cr Amos also noted the importance of roads in our daily lives and how keeping them well is a vital service that the council is doing its best to provide.
“The road is a service to the community; it helps us transport agricultural products to market, and parents transport their children to school; it’s about our residents being safe while travelling,” he said.
“Fundamentally, this money means that we can provide better services to our community.
‘’That is what we are here for, and that has been our focus recently: listening to what the community says and wants.
“We’re very grateful to the Australian Government for supporting road improvements in Campaspe.”
People who have concerns over sealed and unsealed roads with the shire are urged to report them to council staff.
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