MEDIA RELEASE

Cabonne Shire has begun major disaster recovery works to rebuild and strengthen transport infrastructure damaged during the devastating 2022 floods, with bridges and causeways the first focus of a multi million dollar upgrade.

The floods caused widespread destruction across the Central West, leaving roads, bridges and local communities severely impacted.

Now, work is underway to improve the drainage capacity and strength of causeways along key roads in Cabonne, while planning and design are being prepared for significant bridge upgrades across the shire.

These crucial projects are being delivered under the Regional Transport Resilience Fund, which is jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the support is about helping communities continue to recover while also preparing for the future.

“The DRFA supported RTRF allows these Central West communities to continue to rebuild following the devastating floods in 2022,” Ms McBain said.

“Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes LGAs were all invited to apply for project-specific funding to carry out upgrades on damaged local roads and bridges and to help better prepare for future severe weather events with nine projects receiving funding.”

Cabonne Shire alone will receive up to $3.8 million in disaster recovery funding for new concrete floodways, table drains, box culverts, pipe culverts, headwalls, and concrete decks at various sites across the shire.

A further $5.3 million has been allocated for bridge works, which will include:

- Raising the bridge deck at Canomodine Lane Bridge, Canowindra

- Culvert upgrades on Edward Street, Cudal

- Replacing the Baghdad Road Bridge, Cargo

- Raising the bridge deck at Ophir Road Bridge, Ophir

- Replacing the Kiewa Street footbridge, Manildra

Ms McBain said the investment across the Central West totals more than $30 million.

“These Central West councils will share in more than $30 million of disaster relief funding as their communities continue to rebuild from floods while also doing whatever can be done to improve future flood resilience using clever design,” she said.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the RTRF is part of the broader $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.

“The Central West Regional Transport Resilience Funding forms part of the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package,” Ms Aitchison said.

“Importantly, this package focuses on building back better to ensure communities across the Central West are better prepared in the face of future disasters.”

She stressed the importance of improving standards and durability, saying, “the aim is to ensure local road and bridge infrastructure is built back to better withstand disasters and to improved standards.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin highlighted the scale of the floods and the damage they left behind.

“The impact of the 2022 floods was felt across 11,000 kilometres of the Central West, with some areas remaining underwater for extended periods of time, causing significant impact on the transport network and community connectivity,” Ms Saffin said.

She praised the role of local councils in advocating for their communities, saying, “it is because of the advocacy of these Councils and their commitment to community restoration that this funding has been able to be secured.”

“This work starting in Cabonne is a huge step forward for community recovery in this region,” she said.

Member for Orange Phil Donato said the projects will bring real benefits to the people who rely on local roads every day.

“The 2022 floods caused significant damage across Cabonne Shire, and this funding is a crucial step in helping our communities recover and build back stronger,” Mr Donato said.

“These upgrades will improve the safety and resilience of key transport routes that locals, farmers and businesses rely on every day.”

He welcomed the cooperation between all levels of government, saying, “I am pleased to see all levels of government working together to deliver real outcomes for our region.”

“This is about ensuring our infrastructure can better withstand future weather events and keep our communities connected,” he said.

Cabonne Shire Council Deputy General Manager of Infrastructure, Matthew Christensen, said the funding is vital because local councils cannot carry the financial burden of natural disaster recovery alone.

“Access to this funding stream and acknowledgement by both the Australian and NSW governments that local councils just do not have capacity to fund the repairs required after a natural disaster, let alone consider how to rebuild important infrastructure to withstand future events,” Mr Christensen said.

He also explained why strong infrastructure is so important to the shire.

“It is vital that council’s roads, bridges, culverts and footpaths are maintained to support Cabonne’s agriculture industry, encourage tourism, and ensure that all road users are able to travel safely,” Mr Christensen said.