Latest news with #PeterKhoury
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Country mayors concerned by NRMA report showing $3.4b road funding backlog
Cash-strapped New South Wales councils are facing mind-boggling backlogs as they struggle to keep road networks up to scratch. An NRMA report estimates it would cost $3.4 billion to bring council-owned roads across the state up to standard after "an unprecedented wave of wet weather events over the past three years". Most of the damage has been done in regional areas, including the Clarence Valley, where the repair bill jumped from about $270 million in 2022-23 to more than $390m in 2023-24. Mayor Ray Smith said he was "not particularly surprised" by the findings. "Clarence Valley Council has one of the largest, longest road networks of any council in NSW," he said. "It's about 3,100 kilometres … trying to maintain that is a very, very expensive process. The Clarence Valley is one of seven councils across NSW with an estimated road maintenance backlog exceeding $100 million. NSW road funding backlogs 2023-24 Source: NRMA The backlogs tend to be less costly in metropolitan areas, where road networks generally cover shorter distances. The biggest backlog in the Sydney area is in Blacktown, where the repair cost is estimated at $84 million. NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said statewide the backlog had increased by 20 per cent on the previous year. He said the backlog for the Northern Rivers alone was $594.5 million. "Not surprising considering the amount of rain and damage over the last few years that has been done to those councils and their roads," Mr Khoury said. He said numbers in the Northern Rivers were likely to get "even worse" next year when the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred were factored in. Country Mayors Association of NSW chair Rick Firman said the statistics were "very, very confronting". "It actually just hits you right between the eyes … how dire the situation is," he said. "It cannot continue in the manner that it is. "We need help and we want to partner and assist with our federal and state governments along this journey, but again, the old saying — if you haven't got socks on, you can't pull them up." NSW Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the report was being reviewed but was "generally consistent" with what was already known. "In response to the increasing impact of natural disasters on the road network in our state, the 2024-25 NSW budget delivered $3.3 billion to rebuild road and transport infrastructure damaged by multiple severe weather events, which hit regional NSW the hardest," she said in a statement. NSW was allocated $3 billion in road safety funding over the next 10 years in the 2024-25 federal budget. The Commonwealth will provide about $630 million in road funding grants to NSW councils in 2025-26 under programs including Roads to Recovery and Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure. But Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said a longer-term solution was needed. "We'll get different pockets of money, but there's no long-term systemic solution at this stage," he said. "We'll get splashes of cash, but there's not the ongoing funding and that's what needs to happen. "That's what needs to be ongoing into the future — recurrent funding."
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Millions issued stark warning ahead of huge surge on roads: 'Very worrying'
With millions around the country preparing for the much-anticipated Easter break, a huge number of drivers will soon hit the nation's roads as Australians head away to enjoy the long weekend. New data has found more than a quarter of Aussies plan to take off the three working days between the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends to have an extended break. Almost two-thirds of those plan to travel, with the majority staying within their home state and 77 per cent choosing to drive, according to an NRMA survey. The Easter-Anzac Day break, combined with lower interest rates, is boosting domestic tourism, particularly to areas in southeast Queensland and northern NSW recovering from Cyclone Alfred. NRMA Parks and Resorts has seen a late surge in bookings across its 60+ holiday locations, with limited spots remaining. The NRMA's Peter Khoury warns that with so many people planning a getaway, drivers must take extra precautions to cater for the drastic increase in vehicles on the road. Speaking to Yahoo, Khoury said "the focus on road safety has to be critical, and front and centre". "We're expecting traffic to ramp up as we get closer to Easter, particularly as the rest of the states fall into their school holiday period," he said. "The road toll is up in a number of states, certainly in NSW, which is very worrying. We want to see that reverse, and this is going to be a critical period in the next few weeks, as more families go on holidays. "We know that a lot of families are going to take that time off between Easter and Anzac Day and make it a longer holiday, which means that they may travel longer distances." Khoury said this year, there are several factors increasing the safety risk on roads. "With Easter being that combined holiday period, that just increases the risk even further. We're going to see not just more people on the roads, but more people driving on unfamiliar roads, particularly regional highways, and more people driving on roads for longer distances. "These challenges, coupled with the wet weather we've been seeing in Queensland and NSW — and a lot of roads are already damaged — are a concern." Khoury urged caution and preparation, stressing the importance of road safety, vehicle checks, and allowing extra travel time to avoid accidents in already vulnerable conditions. Police around the country are also ramping up efforts ahead of the break, with double-demerits applying in NSW, ACT and Western Australia from Thursday, April 17, to Monday, April 21. In Queensland, police are broadening the use of roadside breath and drug testing, coinciding with school holidays from April 4 to 21. Car makers may soon withdraw Aussie models, increase prices Drivers warned their wages could be seized over $160m in unpaid fines More expensive road fines coming for millions of Aussie drivers Queensland Police said on Friday ahead of the anticipated surge in holiday traffic they will have a strong state-wide presence to target driver impairment and enforce road safety. They're urging motorists to avoid the "fatal five" — drink and drug driving, speeding, fatigue, distraction, and seatbelt misuse — to prevent holiday tragedies. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies warned over little-known 'speed fine trap' from this week: 'Confusing'
Road authorities are warning drivers not to fall into an annual "speed fine trap" in the lead-up to school's return, which sees Aussie parents penalised at a much higher rate compared to the rest of the year. In NSW, four back-to-back pupil free days will take place from tomorrow until February 5, with children to return on the 6th. These days are designed to help teachers and staff plan for the term ahead, without the presence of students. While there will be no kids on campus across that period, school zones will be in operation from today and school zone speed limits will be enforced. According to the NRMA, "pupil-free days continue to be a major speed trap for motorists". The authority said an incredible 2,184 fines for speeding were issued to drivers in just two days prior to term one — February 4 and 5 — in 2024. An average of 1,092 fines were issued between January 30 and 31 — almost doubling the daily average for February (598). NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury warned speed cameras in school zones are switched on and at the ready to catch drivers breaking the law. He said motorists are at risk of being fined at almost twice the rate during pupil-free days, compared to when students had returned to class. "It is extremely frustrating when drivers who normally abide by the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones are fined on pupil-free days because they were oblivious to the fact that the speed limits applied despite their children not being at school," Mr Khoury said. Aussie councils push for more $136 fines for 'dangerous' footpath act 12-YEAR HIGH: Urgent warning over deadly trend on Aussie roads Major change coming to Aussie road this week after '125 near-misses' "The overwhelming majority of drivers go to great lengths to do the right thing around school zones and school zone speed limits have overwhelming public support — we just don't want people inadvertently breaking the law and getting fined." Khoury said "confusion and complacency" can set in when "kids are still at home yet school zones apply". "Please be extra alert tomorrow as you drive through school zones as speed limits will apply," he said. Throughout the 2025 school year the number of pupil free days will increase from six in 2024 to eight days. This includes the four pupil-free days on January 31 and February 3, 4 and 5. "There is clearly a case for more education in the lead-up to the start of the 2025 school year, particularly as pupil-free days see almost double the number of speeding fines in school zones compared to when children return to class," Khoury said. "After almost two months of school holidays the day to change driver behaviour is tomorrow when school zones are enforced and not next Thursday when students return otherwise the next four days could see another huge spike in drivers fined for speeding." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies warned over little-known 'speed fine trap' starting today: 'Confusing'
Road authorities are warning drivers not to fall into an annual "speed fine trap" in the lead-up to school's return, which sees Aussie parents penalised at a much higher rate compared to the rest of the year. In NSW, four back-to-back pupil free days will take place from tomorrow until February 5, with children to return on the 6th. These days are designed to help teachers and staff plan for the term ahead, without the presence of students. While there will be no kids on campus across that period, school zones will be in operation from tomorrow and school zone speed limits will be enforced. According to the NRMA, "pupil-free days continue to be a major speed trap for motorists". The authority said an incredible 2,184 fines for speeding were issued to drivers in just two days prior to term one — February 4 and 5 — in 2024. An average of 1,092 fines were issued between January 30 and 31 — almost doubling the daily average for February (598). NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury warned speed cameras in school zones are switched on and at the ready to catch drivers breaking the law. He said motorists are at risk of being fined at almost twice the rate during pupil-free days, compared to when students had returned to class. "It is extremely frustrating when drivers who normally abide by the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones are fined on pupil-free days because they were oblivious to the fact that the speed limits applied despite their children not being at school," Mr Khoury said. Aussie councils push for more $136 fines for 'dangerous' footpath act 12-YEAR HIGH: Urgent warning over deadly trend on Aussie roads Major change coming to Aussie road this week after '125 near-misses' "The overwhelming majority of drivers go to great lengths to do the right thing around school zones and school zone speed limits have overwhelming public support — we just don't want people inadvertently breaking the law and getting fined." Khoury said "confusion and complacency" can set in when "kids are still at home yet school zones apply". "Please be extra alert tomorrow as you drive through school zones as speed limits will apply," he said. Throughout the 2025 school year the number of pupil free days will increase from six in 2024 to eight days. This includes the four pupil-free days on January 31 and February 3, 4 and 5. "There is clearly a case for more education in the lead-up to the start of the 2025 school year, particularly as pupil-free days see almost double the number of speeding fines in school zones compared to when children return to class," Khoury said. "After almost two months of school holidays the day to change driver behaviour is tomorrow when school zones are enforced and not next Thursday when students return otherwise the next four days could see another huge spike in drivers fined for speeding." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussie drivers warned over little-known 'speed fine trap' starting tomorrow: 'Confusing'
Road authorities are warning drivers not to fall into an annual "speed fine trap" in the lead-up to school's return, which sees Aussie parents penalised at a much higher rate compared to the rest of the year. In NSW, four back-to-back pupil free days will take place from tomorrow until February 5, with children to return on the 6th. These days are designed to help teachers and staff plan for the term ahead, without the presence of students. While there will be no kids on campus across that period, school zones will be in operation from tomorrow and school zone speed limits will be enforced. According to the NRMA, "pupil-free days continue to be a major speed trap for motorists". The authority said an incredible 2,184 fines for speeding were issued to drivers in just two days prior to term one — February 4 and 5 — in 2024. An average of 1,092 fines were issued between January 30 and 31 — almost doubling the daily average for February (598). NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury warned speed cameras in school zones are switched on and at the ready to catch drivers breaking the law. He said motorists are at risk of being fined at almost twice the rate during pupil-free days, compared to when students had returned to class. "It is extremely frustrating when drivers who normally abide by the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones are fined on pupil-free days because they were oblivious to the fact that the speed limits applied despite their children not being at school," Mr Khoury said. Aussie councils push for more $136 fines for 'dangerous' footpath act 12-YEAR HIGH: Urgent warning over deadly trend on Aussie roads Major change coming to Aussie road this week after '125 near-misses' "The overwhelming majority of drivers go to great lengths to do the right thing around school zones and school zone speed limits have overwhelming public support — we just don't want people inadvertently breaking the law and getting fined." Khoury said "confusion and complacency" can set in when "kids are still at home yet school zones apply". "Please be extra alert tomorrow as you drive through school zones as speed limits will apply," he said. Throughout the 2025 school year the number of pupil free days will increase from six in 2024 to eight days. This includes the four pupil-free days on January 31 and February 3, 4 and 5. "There is clearly a case for more education in the lead-up to the start of the 2025 school year, particularly as pupil-free days see almost double the number of speeding fines in school zones compared to when children return to class," Khoury said. "After almost two months of school holidays the day to change driver behaviour is tomorrow when school zones are enforced and not next Thursday when students return otherwise the next four days could see another huge spike in drivers fined for speeding." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
