Funding details of Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LCRI)program have been released, benefiting 11 Shire Councils across the western plains region.

Most councils are still utilising Round 3 round of the funding which opened in 2021 with projects to be completed by the end of this year and, while many were caught off guard by the latest funding announcement, are keen to make the most of the unexpected windfall.

Bogan Shire Council Mayor, Glen Neill said the $2.9 million received in Phase 3 of the program has seen the majority go to repairs.

"Although it is a long way off what will most likely be required, it certainly is a great help," Mr Neill said. "After three years of drought, we then had pretty much the wettest three years on record."

Bogan Shire will receive a further $911,524 in the Phase 4 which Mr Neill said was very welcome.

"We need every cent," he said. "Floods have done huge damage to our roads and its ongoing. In my 14 years on council I've never seen anything like it."

Warrumbungle Shire Council is using some funding from Phase 3 to seal the remaining 3.4km of unsealed road between Mendooran and Tooraweenah.

The project involves drainage works, table drains, pavement rehabilitation and initial seal of the pavement. Council's road crews are currently undertaking gravel carting and road realignment works.

Narromine Shire Council mayor, Craig Davies said while the funding was welcome, the state government needed to make an effort to close the gap in funding between urban and regional areas.

"Roads in Narromine are a priority for council," Mr Davies said. "While this funding is welcome, it won't resolve all the issues, although it is a start."

This road in Narromine Shire is one of many around the west submerged during the 2022 flooding and now requiring restoration. IMAGE SUPPLIED.

Mr Davies said he was concerned that Narromine Shire has 1490km of roads and had previously received $3.3 million for "pothole funding" (from the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round) while a location of the outskirts of Sydney with 749km of roads received $11 million.

"The lack of transparency is concerning," he said.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton agreed.

"While any money for our roads is more than welcome after the damage done by recent flooding, the Government needs to be clear about exactly how this funding will be distributed," he said.

"There’s a big difference between rural and outer urban areas, and I would hope our rural and regional councils receive their fair share since they’ve been hardest hit."

"The window for delivery of Phase 4 of the funding is from July of this year through to June 2025 will provide plenty of time for significant recovery works to be completed.”

Phase 4 LCRI funding allocations for western plains councils include:

• Bogan Shire Council - $911,524
• Bourke Shire Council - $1,199,903
• Brewarrina Shire Council - $820,558
• Cobar Shire Council - $1,085,211
• Coonamble Shire Council - $929,818
• Gilgandra Shire Council - $878,444
• Lachlan Shire Council - $2,128,508
• Narromine Shire Council - $909,690
• Walgett Shire Council - $1,235,615
• Warren Shire Council - $655,258 and
• Warrumbungle Shire Council - $1,553,366

“It’s a great result for our communities that these figures have at last been released. This will enable councils to plan their capital works budgets and progress projects that have been on the backburner after months of major flooding," Mr Coulton said.