NSW Road Re-Classification & Transfer
July 13th 2020. Transport for NSW are urging Councils “to have their say on the biggest review of the State’s road network in more than a decade. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Road Classification Review and Transfer project, led by an independent expert panel, was about laying the foundations for a safe and modern road network for generations to come.
“It’s about assessing whether the current road classification framework is still fit for purpose as well as identifying up to 15,000 kilometres of council-managed roads in rural and regional areas to hand back to the state, easing the burden on local ratepayers,” Mr Toole said.
“The Terms of Reference and Information Paper for the project have now been established and the Independent Panel is ready to consult with councils, industry and communities.
“Identifying which roads should be transferred to the State is a complex process and we’re determined to get it right. This review will ensure we have a safe and effective road network for years to come.”
Chair of the Independent Panel Wendy Machin said the Information Paper had been prepared to set out the division between Local, Regional and State Roads.
“This paper looks at how our road network is managed, maintained, funded and categorised,” Ms Machin said.
“To allow us to make informed and meaningful recommendations, we’ll be entering into a conversation with our biggest road managers – local councils – and other stakeholders and road users to find out how we can best manage our roads into the future.
“The scale of this project is significant. It combines a comprehensive review of road classifications around NSW as well as seeking submissions on priority roads for transfer to the state government.
“We’ll be talking to individual councils and also asking councils to work together through their Joint Organisations to put forward a case that considers the impact on the broader network.”
The Panel is expected to deliver an interim report and recommendation of priority road transfers by the end of 2020.
The Panel’s final report is estimated to be delivered to Government in 2021, subject to further consultation and stakeholder engagement”.
Deadline for submission is August 31st, 2020 |