BRING it on, is the consensus of opinion chatting with Coffs Coast locals about new funding for road repairs.

Round Four of the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program means Coffs Harbour City Council can apply for fresh funding, meaning more roads on the Coffs Coast will be in line for vital repair, maintenance and sealing work.

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The potholes are a subject that pepper community Facebook pages and locals are fed up with the repercussions of hitting these deep holes on the way to work and back again at night.

The funding is not for surface refills, it is for stripping back and rebuilding the roads.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said hundreds of millions of dollars had been rolled out to help councils here and right across regional NSW to upgrade local road networks.

“The latest round of Fixing Local Roads will help councils fund road repairs which are urgently required,” Mr Singh told News Of The Area.

“The constant wet weather has meant that roads require repairs beyond the routine maintenance and this funding will help councils pay for those repairs,” he said.

“Now with Round Four of Fixing Local Roads opening, our local councils have a chance to apply for even more projects.

“These include sealing, resurfacing, gravel road maintenance, drainage improvement and patching, leading to more reliable, safer journeys with less wear and tear on vehicles.

“These improvements help stimulate our local economy and contribute to the social well-being of families, farmers and freight using these roads to get to work, education and services.”

That’s a point Alison Johnson, owner of Idle In Café in Nana Glen agrees with.

“Orara Way is a tourist route; we see caravaners, motorbike groups and holidaying families using this road for its beautiful views, instead of taking the highway.

“It needs to be in good condition for the tourist trade, as well as local commuters, farmers and school buses.”

CHCC has received support under previous rounds of Fixing Local Roads with more than $1.6 million allocated for five projects.

Mayor Councillor Paul Amos said with roughly 800 kilometres of sealed roads in the local government area to look after, the job to keep up with repairs is massive – particularly after prolonged rain events.

“We spend around $7.5 million every year on road maintenance so any and all roads-related grants we win – such as Fixing Local Roads – are always welcome,” Cr Amos said.

CHCC will have its application in by the closing date of 9 September for Round Four Fixing Local Roads funding.

By Andrea FERRARI