Federal Government funding for Shoalhaven roads is currently in overdrive, with an additional $8 million Roads to Recovery funding recently allocated for the Shoalhaven in the Federal Budget. Whilst the total Roads to Recovery funding for Shoalhaven now sits at $18.84 million, the total amount of Federal Government funding for essential upgrades to Shoalhaven roads overall is now over $1 billion. 

Particularly given the lashing and subsequent damage our infrastructure has copped during recent weather events, certain upgrades have become crucial for motorists’ safety. Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, agrees that assigning funds to the region’s roads is money well spent - given we cannot put a price on the safety of our community. 

“I inspected the work currently being carried out at Lake Conjola with Shoalhaven City Council staff on Wednesday and was pleased to see a 350-metre section of pavement rehabilitation, stormwater drain upgrades and new kerb and guttering underway,” said Phillips.

“These projects in and around our villages are important for the safety and amenity of local communities, and are what the Roads to Recovery program is all about.

“We know the ongoing heavy rains and flooding have caused significant damage to many of our roads. That’s why the Federal Government is giving Shellharbour City Council a helping hand to ensure the works can be completed.”

Phillips praised the Albanese Government for including smaller roads such as the Lake Conjola Entrance Road. The $1.93 million project at Lake Conjola was fully funded by the Federal Government, as were completed works at Meroo Road Bomaderry ($2.5 million), BTU Road South Nowra ($1.9 million) and Bawley Point Road ($907,000).

Furthermore, the Far North Collector Road can be completed by the end of June thanks to $2.4 million delivered by the 2024 Federal Budget. And Nowra Bridge works will also be completed thanks to $25.1 million funding. 

“This comes in addition to federal funding I’ve delivered for local roads, including $97 million to get the Nowra Bypass going, $100 million for the Jervis Bay Flyover, which is well underway, $155 million for the Nowra Bridge, $752 million for the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass and $40 million under the Local Roads Fund,” says Phillips. 

“As well as Black Spot funding recently announced for Forest Road at Comberton and Woodburn Road near Milton, we’ve provided significant natural disaster roads funding.”

Phillips is proud to have worked hard to help deliver over $1 billion in funding for essential roads repairs, and vows to continue advocating for ongoing funds to ensure Shoalhaven roads remain safe.