Some of Forbes' flood-affected roads will receive culvert and pavement upgrades as part of a $32 million flood resilience funding package.
Forbes Shire Council has been allocated more than $11 million of the $32 million Regional Transport Resilience Fund for the central west.
The road funding is part of the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package which includes the $40 million Resilient Homes Program recently announced, $2 million for the Resilient Homes Consultation Program, the $25 million Community Assets Program and $1 million for the Legal Aid Assistance Program.
Forbes Shire Council has been allocated:
• $5.43 million to upgrade four culverts and upgrade pavement at various locations across the council area.
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• $4.4 million to upgrade five culverts and pavement on Wirrinya Road.
• $1.6 million for: pavement upgrades on Henry Lawson Way; culvert replacement and pavement upgrades at various locations on Pinnacle Road; pavement upgrades at various locations on Waugan Road.
Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said the funding would make a huge difference to roads across the shire that sustained serious damage in the 2022 floods, and she thanked the State and Federal governments for working together to make the funding available.
“It will allow us to not only repair roads that were damaged by the floods but upgrade them to make them more resilient to floods in the future," Mayor Miller said.
"This is very welcome news as the Forbes community continues to recover from the devastating floods two years on.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said every $1 invested in betterment would save up to $10 in recovery in future.
“The Regional Transport Resilience Fund is not just about repairing like for like," she said.
"It will ensure vital infrastructure like bridges and roads are built back better able to withstand future disasters."
Cabonne Council has received nearly $7.5million, with $3.67m of that for a package of bridge works and $3.78m for concrete floodways, table drains, pipe culverts, headwalls, and concrete decks at 65 locations throughout the council area.
Mayor Kevin Beatty said the funding represented a substantial a much-needed investment in Cabonne's future.
It's the local share of $32million for road betterment in Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan shires following the destruction of the 2022 flood events.
"The RTRF program allows us to not only repair but also significantly improve our infrastructure, reducing the costs of future repairs, improving safety, and ensuring stronger connectivity for our communities during and after natural disasters," Cr Beatty said.
Cr Beatty emphasised the importance of collaboration with local communities, which played a key role in identifying priority projects through the Cabonne Recovery Plan.
One of the ongoing challenges in disaster recovery is securing funding for betterment works, which go beyond replacing damaged infrastructure with like-for-like repairs. Cr Beatty acknowledged the support of the Federal and State Governments in addressing this issue.
“Too often, disaster recovery funding only allows for replacement without improvement," he said.
"We are grateful that both levels of government have recognised the importance of betterment funding, enabling us to deliver stronger, more resilient infrastructure that will serve our communities for decades to come.”
The betterment projects include upgrades to causeways on critical roads such as Baghdad Road, Pinecliffe Road, and Banjo Paterson Way, as well as the construction of more resilient concrete structures on Starrlea Road, Belubula Way, and Fish Fossil Drive.
Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said local communities continued to recover and rebuild two years on from the devastating floods.
"I am pleased to see that there is almost $8 million for the Cabonne Shire, which will fund badly needed repairs and also include bridge raising," he said.
"This will help us deal with future storm and flood events."
Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee and State Member for Orange Philip Donato have also welcomed the funding.
Mr Gee said communities continued to recover and rebuild two years on from the devastating floods the central west experienced.
"I am pleased to see that there is almost $8 million for the Cabonne Shire, which will fund badly needed repairs and also include bridge raising," he said.
"This will help us deal with future storm and flood events."
Mr Donato said the investment would help ensure communities could stay connected when disaster hits.
“Our communities are resilient, and this funding will go a long way to ensuring their road and transport infrastructure is too," he said.
