Too little, too late: Bush needs real drought and road funding.

Independent MP Helen Dalton says new funding for rural roads and drought programs is welcome – but nowhere near enough. 

The NSW Government has announced $155 million for a “rural road blitz” and $43.2 million with the Federal Government for drought resilience. 

Mrs Dalton said it barely scratches the surface. 

“Our rural roads are a disgrace. Locals pay rego and fuel tax but are forced to drive on dangerous, car-wrecking potholes. This funding won’t even touch the backlog. Councils are broke and the bush deserves roads as safe as Sydney’s,” she said. 

On drought, Mrs Dalton said farmers deserved real action – not token workshops. 

“You don’t stop drought with coaching sessions. Real resilience is building water infrastructure – like Lake Coolah off-river storage and dams,” she said. 

“Instead, Labor is stripping productive water out of the bush with buybacks. That’s a slap in the face for regional Australia and a direct hit on our nation’s economic future.” 

Mrs Dalton said agriculture must be at the centre of national policy. 

“Agriculture underpins Australia’s economy. Our farmers feed and clothe the nation, and drive billions in exports. Undermining agriculture through water buybacks threatens not just the bush, but our entire economic future,” she said. 

“If governments are serious about drought resilience, they’ll stop ripping water away and start funding real projects that keep rural communities in business and secure Australia’s long-term prosperity.”