NEW framework determining road management in New South Wales aimed at providing councils with certainty over who manages and maintains different roads was announced on Monday.
Road recategorisation is the process used to decide whether a road should be managed as a State, regional or local road.
The State Government says the new framework includes clear statewide criteria to support consistent, needs-based decision making; an always-open application pathway, replacing decade-long review cycles; new online self-assessment data tool to help councils understand early whether a proposal is likely to meet the criteria; and prioritisation for roads that unlock housing, freight efficiency, resilience and major infrastructure delivery.
The government says the major reform that will put the right roads in the right category, cutting red tape, reducing duplication and improving how maintenance and investment are delivered across the network.
With a portal now live, local councils and road managers can put forward proposals for recategorisation.
Reviews of the system and processes will be conducted at three months, six months and then annually to refine the model.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said the rules are being rewritten so councils have a clear, fair and reliable way to get roads into the right category.
“For decades, councils have been stuck with a slow, ad-hoc system. From today, decisions will be driven by evidence and need, not politics or outdated processes,” she said.
“Drivers don’t care which level of government manages a road. They care that it’s safe, accessible and well maintained.
“This new system is designed to help roads receive the appropriate investment and ongoing care, supporting better outcomes for our communities.
“Local councils are our partners. Collectively, they manage about 90 per cent of the New South Wales road network, and we understand the pressures they’re under,” she said.
“After years of floods, fires, storms and rising costs, we know they can’t do this alone. This framework helps us work together in a more consistent, transparent and practical way.
“Clear criteria and modern data tools mean these decisions are no longer left to chance or politics. “Everyone can see the basis for a category change, and that brings greater transparency and confidence to the system.
Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig said local governments have been calling for a fairer and more responsive road recategorisation process for years.
“Today’s announcement delivers exactly that,” he said.
“This is about strengthening the partnership between State and local government and making sure the right roads sit in the right category so maintenance and investment can be better targeted.
“This change will make a significant difference for councils especially those in regional and rural New South Wales where roads aren’t just a means to get from A to B, they’re a lifeline for these communities.”
Chairman of The Country Mayors Association of NSW, Rick Firman, said recategorisation is a positive step forward for regional and rural councils.
“Councils have been managing enormous road networks with limited resources and increasingly severe weather impacts,” he said.
“The new framework gives our councils a fair opportunity to have roads properly recognised for their current use, not what they looked like 20 years ago.
“Being able to apply at any time, backed by clear criteria and data, is a major improvement.
“It will help councils plan, budget and deliver work more efficiently for our communities.”
