Safety First: New Cattle Underpass Scheme

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward MP has today announced that local farmers can now access grants for the construction of cattle underpasses beneath public roads and the installation of warning signs and flashing lights, to reduce the risk to producers and motorists.

Mr Ward said that underpasses remove the need for cattle to cross roads, improving safety for farmers, the farmer’s family, employees and motorists, and lifting farm productivity.

“Underpasses remove the need for cattle to cross roads, improving safety for livestock owners and their employees,” he said.

“The Cattle Underpass Scheme will be particularly beneficial to dairy producers and other farmers across the Illawarra and South Coast who need to move stock across roads to milking facilities each day.

“The NSW Government will offer grants up to $70,000, to cover a half of the cost of installing an underpass or up to $10,000 to cover a half of the cost of installing warning signs and flashing lights.

“The investment delivers on a commitment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Farmers Association to improve farm and road safety.

“Along with the productivity boost for producers, the scheme would reduce hazards for motorists.

“Underpasses will reduce the risk of road collisions, traffic delays and road surface damage.

“The underpasses must be constructed primarily for the movement of livestock with permission from the road authority,” Mr Ward said.

Every application received will be assessed against eligibility criteria listed in the Cattle Underpass Scheme guidelines.

Applications for the grants close on 31st October 2018 and will be considered in the order in which they are received.

More information about eligibility and application requirements is available from the website at: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/cups.