Sydney councils are grappling with a significant funding deficit for road maintenance, particularly affecting the western and south-western regions of the city. The NRMA’s annual report highlights a staggering $3.4 billion backlog, marking a 20 per cent increase from last year’s $2.8 billion shortfall. This funding crisis has left councils like Blacktown City, facing an $84 million deficit, and Canterbury Bankstown City, with a $77 million shortfall, in a particularly precarious situation. Other councils such as Parramatta, Liverpool, and Penrith follow closely behind, struggling to meet financial demands.
The situation has been exacerbated by prolonged rainy weather, which has caused deterioration in road conditions and subsequently led to a noticeable uptick in calls to the NRMA for assistance with tyre and wheel repairs. Peter Khoury from the NRMA has pointed out the strong link between severe weather damage and the increase in vehicle problems.
With National Road Safety Week approaching, concerns around the safety of poorly maintained roads are at the forefront. The state’s road toll has risen to 130 fatalities, compared to 111 at the same time last year, highlighting a worrying trend that underscores the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. Local councils are under pressure to find solutions to this crisis, which poses risks not just to road users but to the overall safety of Sydney’s transportation network.