Steve Whan
Member for Monaro

Labor's election commitment of more than $11 million in additional funding for council roads in Snowy Monaro and Queanbeyan-Palerang has been delivered with both councils formally allocated their funds.

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:
"Emergency funding for council roads was one of my most important election commitments. Local roads have taken a pounding with extreme weather over the last few years, and it was just too much for local council to keep up with.

"This vital program (the Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund) allocates funds based on the number of kms of roads in a local Government area. It's totally fair and eliminates the appalling National party practice politics before proper process.

"In letter to the councils recently the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, advised that Snowy Monaro Regional Council would receive an additional $6.79 million and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council $4.32 million.

"This additional funding was what I promised during the election campaign in March, and I look forward to seeing councils making good use of the funds to improve local roads.

"We don't dictate where this money has to go, that is up to council to determine priority. And I know there are many local roads that could do with the funding. 

"The Minns Labor Government has been able to find this additional money despite inheriting a massive $187 billion debt from the previous Liberal Nationals Government. We have done it by allocating from the previous Government kept talking about giving to communities but failed to deliver."

3 November 2023