The NSW Government has announced a new framework for road management in NSW with a recategorisation system which will provide councils with certainty over who will manage and maintain different roads, allowing for more targeted investment for communities.

The system to decide whether a road should be managed as a state, regional or local road was politicised under the previous government, according to Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison.

Many roads are still categorised based on how they were used decades ago, despite major changes in population, traffic volumes, freight movements and local growth.

Aitchison said this unfair, outdated approach created long backlogs and increased pressure on local councils, who manage around 90 per cent of the state’s road network and continue to face huge challenges from climate change, worsening weather events, rising construction costs and a growing workload after repeated natural disasters.

The new road recategorisation framework includes:

• Clear statewide criteria to support consistent, needs-based decision making
• An always-open application pathway, replacing decade-long review cycles
• A new online self-assessment data tool to help councils understand early whether a proposal is likely to meet the criteria, reducing administrative burdens
• Prioritisation for roads that unlock housing, freight efficiency, resilience and major infrastructure delivery.

She added that these reforms will put the right roads in the right category, cutt red tape, reduce duplication and improve how maintenance and investment are delivered across the network.

The online portal is now live so local councils and road managers will be able to put forward proposals for recategorisation.

Reviews of the system and processes will be conducted at three months, six months and then annually to refine the model.

Aitchison said they were "rewriting the rules so councils have a clear, fair and reliable way to get roads into the right category".

“For decades, councils have been stuck with a slow, ad-hoc system. From today, decisions will be driven by evidence and need, not politics or outdated processes.

“Drivers don’t care which level of government manages a road. They care that it’s safe, accessible and well maintained.

"This new system is designed to help roads receive the appropriate investment and ongoing care, supporting better outcomes for our communities.

“Local councils are our partners. Collectively, they manage about 90 per cent of the NSW road network, and we understand the pressures they’re under.

"After years of floods, fires, storms and rising costs, we know they can’t do this alone. This framework helps us work together in a more consistent, transparent and practical way.

“Clear criteria and modern data tools mean these decisions are no longer left to chance or politics.

"Everyone can see the basis for a category change, and that brings greater transparency and confidence to the system."

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said "local governments have been calling for a fairer and more responsive road recategorisation process for years".

“This change will make a significant difference for councils especially those in regional and rural NSW where roads aren’t just a means to get from A to B, they’re a lifeline for these communities.”

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