Drought Relief Heavy Vehicle Access Program

The Drought Relief Heavy Vehicle Access Program has been established to contribute to the cost of maintenance and minor improvements on council roads and roadsides, where those improvements will contribute to heavy vehicle access, in support of the drought relief freight task.

NSW councils can submit an application for funding for proactive or reactive works and/or treatments for
improved heavy vehicle access in support of the drought relief freight task.

Funding approval will be merit based and limited to a maximum of $300,000 per council for all projects.

Proactive submissions may be made in instances where access is yet to be approved and specific or preventative work on substandard roads is required and can be delivered urgently in order to safely permit access for restricted access vehicles carrying drought related freight.

Reactive submissions may be made in instances where substandard roads and roadsides are required to be made good as the result of introducing or increasing the frequency of restricted access vehicle movements carrying drought related freight which has brought forward the need for maintenance activities.

Supporting information will be required, including evidence that:

• Damage has or will be caused as a result of increased volumes of drought related road freight.
• Permits have been approved for restricted access vehicles carrying drought related freight.
• Safety and efficiency is improved by allowing approved vehicle types to use the road instead of the
• existing access.
• The work will provide safe and reliable driving conditions for drought assistance vehicles consistent
• with the classification of the road, meet a reasonable standard, and keep the road in a safe and
• trafficable condition.