Council has its say on Roads Act review

DUNGOG Shire councillors have endorsed a draft submission to Transport for NSW on the NSW Government’s Review of the Roads Act 1993 – Options Paper.

This submission builds upon the Council’s earlier response to the March 2025 Issues Paper and reinforces its commitment to “achieving legislative reform that delivers clear governance, efficient administrative processes, and sustainable outcomes for regional and rural communities”.

In the response, Council outlines its support for the adoption of Model 2, the Plan-Led Framework, as the preferred reform option.

“This model provides the clearest pathway to addressing current governance and operational shortcomings,” Council said in a statement.

“It also establishes a transparent system of shared responsibility between Transport for NSW and local government, introduces statutory road network plans to guide long-term investment, and integrates road management with land use planning through the Movement and Place framework.

In its review of the options, Council also found that Model 2 promotes consistency in road categorisation and recategorisation, ensuring that administrative responsibility and funding align with the actual function, connectivity, and strategic importance of each road.

However, Council cautions that without reliable and dedicated funding, the proposed reforms risk transferring responsibilities to local government without the necessary resources to fulfil them effectively.

While Council acknowledges that funding and resourcing are formally out of scope for this legislative review, it strongly emphasises that no reform can succeed without financial sustainability.

“Legislative improvements alone will not deliver the intended outcomes if councils are left without adequate funding to meet new obligations,” Council said in a statement.

“The effectiveness of the revised Act will therefore depend on both governance reform and the establishment of appropriate funding mechanisms.”

Council will also include in the submission its advocacy position: that State assets should be accessed by State-funded roads.

Dungog Shire Council, as the only Council within NSW without a State-funded road, has long voiced its opposition to having to shoulder the cost of maintaining infrastructure that primarily benefits the State’s economy and regional network resilience.

Council’s General Manager will submit Council’s response prior to the closing date of 31 October 2025.