Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, announced a $450,000 grant for Bombala Council as part of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads funding program. 

The boost in funding will assist Bombala Council over the next three years to build a strong network of roads to support the timber industry. 

The funding will go directly to improving Bucky Springs Road, Mila Road and Cathcart Road with road works expected to start  in spring.

Bombala Mayor Bob Stewart said the cost of maintaining those roads is impossible for council to maintain. 

“The three heavy haulage route in the region and our issue has been that those roads are classified as local roads in the eyes of state government,” Cr Stewart said. 

“Maintenance of those roads comes back to council and to do repairs would take a significant proportion of council’s budget.

“Most local roads experience three to four trucks a month while these roads experience trucks weighing 650 to 750 tonnes every year for the next twenty years.

“It’s important that these roads are supported because they are used by the timber industry which is a valuable asset to this community.” 

While the substantial grant is a boost for council Mayor Stewart said he hopes a long term decision about the future of these roads will be reached soon. 

“This funding is a stop gap solution but it’s not sufficient,” Cr Stewart said.

“It will help with the immediate works that need to be done and it is a good sign that the state government is recognising our need for support with these roads.”