They told of how they stayed at the Showground, spent money locally and were full of praise for the welcome our community gave them.

They then proceeded to lament the state of our roads and told us in no uncertain terms to fix them.

After explaining a few facts to them, I asked them if I could use their email in our lobbying efforts with State and Federal Members, as well as the State Roads Minister, which they happily agreed to.

So, just to recap on how we got to where we are with the roads, I defer to Cr Steve Low who has written many reports on this issue.

I’m using an abridged version of his material, with grateful thanks for his excellent work:

Prior to a policy change by the Carr Government in 1995, the NSW Government was fully responsible for funding all main roads, but this now only applies to State Roads.

Under the new arrangements for what became known as Regional Roads, the NSW Government provides funding for maintenance etc, and for special projects such as renewal (when the roads are worn out) and councils are required to contribute 50 per cent towards the cost under the roads repair program.

In Dungog Shire, most of our Regional Roads were already worn out when they were given to us in 1995.

Councils were not given funding to meet their new responsibilities for Regional Roads.

So, the money has to come from what would otherwise be spent on local roads and services.

Further, due to relatively low traffic counts, only 15 per cent of our regional road network qualifies for funding even when we can get it. The system recognises all vehicles, whether a heavy truck, or a car, as only one vehicle movement.

These arrangements are obviously unsustainable and Dungog Council has made numerous submissions and representations, without much success over the years.

We have only received a few (most welcome) handouts, which have seen some sections of our main roads rebuilt over the last ten years.

Although other councils have expressed concerns about Regional Roads, the impact of the policy varies widely depending upon the length of road transferred, its condition at the time, available road and transport alternatives, and the ability of each community to absorb the associated cost burden.

None of these factors were considered when the roads were transferred.

Dungog is the only LGA without any designated state roads, therefore leaving the entire burden for roads repair and renewal to rate-payers and those lobbying for hand-outs and grants.

Some 15 years of genuine efforts on our part have been refused by both political parties whilst in government.

Council has sought the reclassification of the road between Maitland, Dungog and the Bucketts Way as a State Road. If successful this would relieve us of 40 per cent of the problem.

However, we would still have to find funding to pay for the rest of the regional road network, and the current level of funding we provide would continue to be diverted away from local roads and services.

The effort now needs to be community wide and throughout the Shire.

As I’ve previously stated, the voice of nine Councillors cannot be as effective as the voice of more than six thousand voters coming up to an election year.

I am always happy to hear from residents about issues that affect them.

You can contact me at the Council chambers on 02 4995 7777 or you can email tn@munni.com.au.