A new government program aims to engage graziers equipped with the necessary tools to assist in the repair of roads in the remote regions of Far West New South Wales. Despite this initiative, graziers have expressed concerns regarding excessive bureaucratic procedures, which they believe will impede the timely completion of road repairs.
The tender process for the program is set to begin soon, and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has committed to ongoing discussions with local graziers to address their concerns.
Samantha and Richard Maiden, operators of Mt Gipps Station, estimate that they have suffered a loss exceeding 25% of their annual revenue due to persistent road closures. Their sheep station, which also provides farm-stay accommodations in the remote area, has recorded approximately 25 millimeters of rain this year, causing frequent closures of their unsealed roads for over five months.
While awaiting the arrival of repair teams, Ms. Maiden noted that they incurred around $60,000 in lost income as they had to cancel reservations due to inaccessible roads. “Our tourism business has been devastated,” she remarked, indicating that their operations are running at only 20% of what they were last year.
Mr. Maiden highlighted the significance of the road for livestock transport, noting that the precarious conditions could lead to accidents for trucks carrying sheep, further complicating their ability to move their livestock.
In response to these challenges, TfNSW has launched an initiative to contract graziers and station owners, like the Maidens, to assist in road repairs utilizing their existing equipment. Craig Matthews, the director responsible for regional road network maintenance in the western region, explained that this initiative was prompted by three natural disasters in the area over the past six months. “We face the challenge of maintaining a vast network of 2,800 kilometers of unsealed roads,” he stated.
Landholders interested in becoming contractors will receive hourly market rates through a tendering system, although they are expected to cover their own initial registration expenses.
Nonetheless, graziers are concerned that bureaucratic hurdles may delay the road repair process, as regulations require a trained spotter or safety supervisor to be present on-site. “We need to ensure safety, and we want to avoid unsupervised operations,” Mr. Matthews clarified.
However, Ms. Maiden criticized TfNSW for underestimating the capabilities and safety knowledge of graziers and their workforce. She argued that the current program fails to meet their needs, as graziers are not interested in taking on extensive contracts or navigating complicated tender procedures. Instead, she proposed a more efficient “emergency response tender situation” that would allow graziers with appropriate equipment to be called upon for urgent repairs within a 100-kilometer radius.
Ms. Maiden emphasized that their primary goal is to restore road access rather than seeking significant profits, although they do require compensation for their expenses and time. Mr. Maiden expressed a desire for reduced bureaucratic obstacles, suggesting that if the process remains overly complicated, graziers may resort to undertaking repairs themselves, potentially with minimal oversight, if faced with prolonged delays.
“While we understand the necessity for regulations, there comes a point where the complexity of the process hinders progress,” he concluded.
