New NSW framework gives councils clearer guidance to manage, maintain and prioritise roads
NSW councils will soon have a clearer way to manage and maintain roads under a major reform announced today by the Minns Labor Government.
The move comes as municipalities grapple with worn surfaces, potholes and other maintenance woes and aim to make roads safer and more reliable for drivers across the state.
The new road reclassification system aims to ensure that roads are correctly classified as State, Regional or Local, allowing investments to be better targeted to where communities need them most.
Road reclassification determines who is responsible for maintaining and financing a road and how the road fits into the wider transportation network.
Until now, the process had no formal framework; Despite changes in population, traffic volume, and freight movements, many roads were classified by decades of use.
Highways Minister Jenny Aitchison said motorists “don’t care” what level of government manages a road.
“They care about it being safe, accessible and well-maintained,” Ms Aitchison said.
“From today, decisions will be made based on evidence and needs, not politics or outdated processes.”
Under the old system, reclassification of roads often faced delays; Reports sometimes remained on the table for months before action.
This has led to increased workload and increased pressure on councils, which manage around 90 per cent of the NSW road network and are grappling with challenges from natural disasters, climate change and rising construction costs.
The new framework replaces the ad hoc system with a consistent, evidence-based model.
Key features of the new system include clear statewide criteria to support consistent, needs-based decisions, as well as an always-open application pathway that replaces previous decade-long review cycles.
Councils will also have access to a new online self-assessment tool to quickly determine whether their proposals meet the criteria.
The framework prioritizes housing, load efficiency, resilience and roads critical to the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said the reforms were about strengthening the partnership between State and local government and ensuring “the right roads are put in the right category”.
“This change will make a significant difference to councils, particularly in regional and rural NSW, where roads are not just a means to get from A to B. They are a lifeline for these communities,” Mr Hoenig said.
The system also includes regular quarterly, six-monthly and annual reviews to ensure the model remains responsive and effective.
Rick Firman, president of the NSW Country Mayors’ Association, welcomed the reform and said it was a “major step forward” for regional and rural councils managing “massive road networks with limited resources and increasingly severe weather impacts”.
“Being able to apply at any time, supported by clear criteria and data, is a huge development. This will help councils plan, budget and deliver jobs for their communities more efficiently,” Mr Firman said.
With the new online portal now live, councils and road managers will be able to immediately submit proposals for reclassification.
