Cabonne receives a $4.2m roads repair boost
Cabonne Council has been successful in receiving $4.2 million from the NSW Government's Regional and Local Road Repair Program. The program was launched in January with the State Government pledging $500 million to support councils to undertake priority maintenance works and immediate repair to road networks, which have been significantly impacted by severe flooding, storm damage and persistent wet weather events during 2022. The successful funding was based on kilometres of road network managed, with Cabonne Council currently managing a local road network of over 2100km and a regional road network of over 180km. Cabonne Council Mayor, Kevin Beatty welcomed the successful funding announcement, noting that many of Cabonne roads have been badly beaten. "All works completed under this fund will help to provide much needed support to regional communities and regional motorists to move around the network within the Cabonne LGA, especially after the natural disasters that have ravaged our network", Cr Beatty said. "Cabonne's roads are integral to our local community, but also to freight and tourism within the region. After the past 12 months with multiple flooding events throughout the year, much of our 2,200km network of roads are in a bad state," Cr Beatty added. The works must be completed and open to traffic before 29 February 2024. The NSW Government announced a number of regional councils who will receive funding from the $500 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program so they can get on with the job of repairing their local road network. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said four Local Government Areas in the Orange electorate will receive more than $12.5 million to fix more than 6,500 kilometres of local and regional roads. “All four Local Government Areas have been sent the funding deeds and once the deed is executed the money goes into council coffers,” Mr Farraway said.
“This injection of funds means councils can plan and undertake work now to restore and help protect against reoccurring problems on the roads you use every day, making them more resilient to help keep local communities, visitors and the freight industry safe and supply chains moving. “After we announced our initial $50 million injection to help fix potholes across regional NSW in November last year a number of councils sat down with me and asked for additional help and funding. “Communities in the Central West have endured catastrophic flooding and severe wet weather events the region has never seen before and this of course has had a massive impact on councils’ road network. “That is why we have secured an additional $280 million for regional councils to fix their potholes, we also provided cash advancements for emergency disaster funding to eligible councils and have diverted Transport for NSW road crews to help fix local roads in the Central West. “Since 2019, we have invested $1.8 billion into fixing the local roads you use to make your daily life easier. “I encourage councils to get the deeds signed quickly so that funding for your local and regional roads gets to you sooner for essential repairs to get underway.” Mayor of Forbes Shire Council Phyllis Miller said Council will receive $3.3 million to help with the mammoth task of repairing their local road network. The Regional and Local Roads Repair Program is in addition to the $50 million the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government provided before Christmas to help regional councils carry out emergency pothole patching. That funding will help to fill around 420,000 potholes on council roads in addition to the more than 220,000 potholes that government crews have patched inside the last 12 months on state-owned roads. Funding allocations for the four Local Government Areas in the Orange electorate: Cabonne Council - $4,234,037.28 Forbes Shire Council $3,395,609.54 Orange City Council - $937,795.60 Parkes Shire Council $3,955,150.89
Talking to John "The Highway Man"
Who has the best roads in NSW? "Temora" (Shire Council) came the quick response from John (photographed above) known by truckies and travellers as 'The Highway Man". And, he should know - he's been walking many a country road and highways over the past 44 years. "Dare we ask the worst?" the Express asked as we sat with the very fit 60+ something year old on the side of the road on the Banjo Paterson Way. "The Sturt (Highway) said John. "It's a shocker". Who is this man who cuts a lone figure walking on both lonely rural roads and highways who prefers to live his life on the road, walking, carrying many kgs on his back - and camping under a piece of tarpaulin at night? Read on. (Above) John and one of his 'carers', Jane Lyons-Miller of Molong sharing lunch and conversation.
John started his life in the small town of Minyip in the Woomera (Victoria) "I was a town kid doing what town kids did back then ... climbing trees, going to the pictures, going to school" - just an ordinary, uneventful life it would seem. "Mum was keen for me to join the Bank" - considered to be a good job for country kids back in the 1960's/70's. He found himself living in Melbourne in a shared house "we had a lot of parties". "Back in the 70's young people were attracted to travel - hitch-hiking with backpacks around Australia and overseas". John hit the road on a holiday and the bug, the feeling of contentment of walking, wandering, sleeping under the stars became his lifestyle choice. In 1979 the simple lifestyle became his permanent choice. "I've never been one for possessions" he said as he ate the fish and chip lunch taken to him by Jane Lyons-Miller, one of the 30,000 'foster parents' who have adopted him over the past few years. He doesn't carry money, or valuables - "I don't have any" and no - he does not receive Centrelink payments, does not have a bank account - not even a Medicare card. He sleeps under the stars - using a ground sheet, sleeping bag (donated by Jane Lyons Miller and son Gregory of Molong) and relies on a piece of tarp to keep him out of the weather.
He mainly eats cold foods "I don't light campfires in the bush" - and is happy to sit in the bush, road reserves etc eating tin foods and the occasional 2 minute noodles. Does he have a home? "No, the bush is my home - I'm content doing what I do and the way I live". How many kms does he travel - has he travelled? "I don't know - I just walk" said John. How many pairs of boots has he worn out? "I really don't know" he responded. How many blisters? "None" he said. "I generally walk 10kms or more a day - but some days if I pick up a good book somewhere (usually given to him by his 'foster parents') I might sit and read for a day. "I'm not in a rush". Molong's Jane Lyons-Miller (also helped by Cally Oxenham) have been looking after John as he wanders through Cabonne Country and further afield ("see you in Gilgandra" said Jane). After delivering his lunch, helping him to pack home-made cake, and easy to carry foods (plus lollies), Jane also provided 2 clean (and ironed) shirts, and a pair of trousers (John fell the day before and took the knee out of one pair) "I only carry two sets of clothing, one to wear, one spare). Whilst John does not believe he has an 'exceptional' life ... or is any different than anyone else ... he has a deep sense of making a difference to the lives of others who marvel at how he can possibly feel "contentment".
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Molong Probus Firstly thank you to Paul and Rozzi for getting the Molong paper up and going again so soon after the horrible flood that hit Molong. Our thoughts are with all those that lost so much. At our Christmas lunch we raised some funds which we have given to the RSL for distribution to flood victims. Our next Probus meeting will be held at the Manildra Picture Theatre on Tuesday 14th February, this will take the format of Morning tea at 10.00am (Please bring your own mug} followed by our monthly meeting, lunch will be served at 12 o'clock and we will then have our Movie "Ticket to Paradise" to follow lunch. As March is our annual meeting nomination forms for office bearers will be available at the February meeting.
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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 9 February 2023
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