Remote NSW graziers challenge government road-repair scheme

Graziers in remote western New South Wales say a government programme designed to repair damaged roads more quickly is being hindered by administrative requirements. Transport for NSW plans to hire graziers and station owners with suitable machinery as contractors. The initiative follows three natural disasters in the region over six months and will cover a network containing about 2,800 kilometres of unsealed roads.

Sam and Richard Maiden, who run Mt Gipps Station north of Broken Hill, said road closures had damaged their sheep and farm-stay businesses. About 25 millimetres of rain had closed dirt roads intermittently for more than five months, forcing them to cancel bookings. Sam Maiden estimated the station had lost about $60,000 in revenue and said the tourism business was operating at roughly 80% below the same period last year.

Richard Maiden also warned that unstable roads posed risks to livestock trucks and could prevent sheep from being moved. Transport for NSW regional road maintenance director Craig Matthews said landholders who became contractors would be paid market hourly rates through a tender process. They would also have to pay initial registration costs.

The Ma idens criticised the requirement for a trained spotter or safety supervisor to be present. Sam Maiden said the arrangement was not suited to graziers who did not want large contracts or lengthy tender processes. She proposed an emergency tender system that would allow landholders with the right equipment to repair roads within their local areas.

Richard Maiden said the rules should be reduced so work could begin sooner, warning that some graziers might otherwise repair roads themselves while waiting for formal assistance. TfNSW said it would continue consulting with graziers as tenders opened.