Fixing Wagga’s roads could cost more than $200 million

The claim from Mayor Greg Conkey follows the release of the NRMA Funding Local Roads report that states the overwhelming majority of the road backlog burden – $1.7 billion – fell to regional councils. 

“Wagga could spend more than $100 million per year for two years fixing roads and there would still be a backlog,” he said. 

Councillor Conkey said this figure is no surprise and it needs to be addressed.

“We have 2200 kilometres worth of roads that we need to maintain,” he said. 

“A very high percentage are in poor condition or need repairs. We are doing the very best with the limited resources we have.” 

Lake Albert resident Peter Simpfendorfer said he has seen the progress with works completed on Hammond Avenue and Lake Albert, but there’s still lots to be done. 

“I drive from Lake Albert to town by Kooringal Road and it needs attention between Fay Avenue and Copland Street,” he said. 

“Past the Christian College really needs attention and it’s a heavy vehicle bypass as well.” 

Mr Simpfendorfer said poor roads increases the general wear and tear on a vehicle. 

“The tyres and rims wear down and you probably have to have a wheel alignment more than usual,” he said. 

Mr Simpfendorfer said he thinks the council is doing the best they can with their limited resources and fill potholes within a matter of days after he calls to inform them, although he added that “works seem to deteriorate very quickly after they’re done”.

“The road opposite where I live has had patchwork done twice in the last 18 months and it needs doing again,” he said.

“Filling potholes is only a Band-Aid solution.” 

The report also recommended helping local councils, by allocating $180 million per year for five years from the Snowy Hydro Legacy and Regional Growth Funds and reserving between two to five cents per litre of the fuel excise for local roads. 

Councillor Conkey said he would support some form of these recommendations.

“That’s always been a beef of mine,” he said. 

“I certainly would like to see more money returned to roads and motorists pay a significant sum of money through their fuel excise and it really should be poured back into roads." 

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