The Wanaaring Road to Bourke project is edging closer to completion exciting the local Mayor Lachlan Ford.

The Mayor says a $2,818,400 grant from the Australian Government will help seal the entire length of Wanaaring Road to fully complete it.

“The sealing of the entire length of Wanaaring Road has been part of Councils strategic vision and included in Council’s top 3 priorities for grant funding and completion since 2017 when Council received its first tranche of funding for this important road project,” the Mayor advised.

“I am delighted that this funding will see this important road, that was often impassable both during wet and dry periods, fully sealed,” he said.

The mayor said traffic safety and a boost in the visitor economy will happen once its finished.

The project brief is to seal the final 9.4 kilometres of the Bourke-Milparinka Road between Bourke and Wanaaring, starting two kilometres from Wanaaring to ensure year-round access.

The works have a total pricetag of $3.2523 million.

“$2,818,400 in funding will be forthcoming from the Australian Government via its Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program as managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts,” the Mayor said.

“Council will be contributing $704,600 towards this important project to bring the full sealing of this 190km road to fruition.”

Council's General Manager, Leonie Brown said Council anticipates that works will be underway come November 2025.

“Council has effective and efficient road construction crews with some of the staff that will work on this final phase having also worked on the initial Wanaaring Road sealing works back in 2017,” Mrs Brown said.

“Given the difference that the sealing of Wanaaring Road has made to the quality of life for residents in the west of our Shire, these construction staff should be very proud of both their efforts and achievements.”

Mayor Ford said without this funding from the Australian Government, this and various other projects that improve the amenity of the Shire, simply wouldn’t happen.

“I wholeheartedly thank the Australian Government for this funding and look forward to the completion of these road works,” the Mayor added.