Mid-Western Regional Council is working with the RTA and mining companies to prepare a strategy to upgrade Ulan Road, general manager Warwick Bennett said this week.
Mr Bennett said the Department of Planning had asked council, the RTA and the owners of Ulan, Moolarben and Wilpinjong to produce a strategy for Ulan Road by December 31.
“Ulan Road now carries more traffic than the Newell Highway and the cost of upgrading it is $32 million,” Mr Bennett said.
Mayor Des Kennedy and Mr Bennett met with senior government officers this week to discuss ways to fund roads and other infrastructure affected by mining.
Council has proposed a 25 cent a tonne increase in royalties to be returned to councils to meet the additional costs.
“This is not supported by coal mines, but it is an issue we will pursue,” he said.
Mr Bennett said Mid-Western Regional Council had sought a $375,000 a year contribution to roads from Xstrata as part of the voluntary planning agreement (VPA) for the Ulan West project. The Department of Planning approved an annual contribution of just $50,000.
“When you have 2800 kilometres of roads, an extra $50,000 a year does not make much difference,” he said.
Mr Bennett said road funding problems would be exacerbated when mining began in Bylong, with road upgrades required on the 70km road between Ulan and Bylong, costing up to $80 million, as well as the 50km between Bylong and Rylstone.
Line marking on the unmarked sections of Ulan Road will be undertaken after a second coat of seal is laid in the next two months, he said
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