IN SHORT

• The Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan for Far West NSW is seeking community input through an online consultation portal where residents can pin specific problem areas
• Recent rainfall has highlighted infrastructure weaknesses along the Silver City Highway at Black Oak, Treloars and Smiths Well Creek
• Member for Barwon Roy Butler says the more pins dropped on problem locations, the more likely they are to be prioritised for upgrades

Residents across the Far West have the opportunity to shape future transport infrastructure through an online consultation process for the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler is encouraging locals to use the Have Your Say NSW portal to identify problem areas, particularly along the Silver City Highway where recent rainfall has again exposed infrastructure weaknesses.

The SRITP-Far West consultation allows community members to drop pins on an interactive map, highlighting specific locations requiring attention. Areas of particular concern include sections at Black Oak, Treloars and Smiths Well Creek along the Silver City Highway – a critical route connecting communities across Central Darling, Balranald and surrounding shires.

"Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans are drawn up to ensure that transport infrastructure and services in regional NSW focus on community needs and sustainable development," Mr Butler said. "But they are vastly improved by community input."

Mr Butler emphasised that the plan needs local knowledge to address the unique transport challenges facing the region.

"The SRITP - Far West is being delivered this year, but it needs your input, so that it meets the unique transport needs of this part of the state," he said.

"The recent rains have again shown up the weaknesses with road infrastructure along the Silver City Highway at Black Oak, Treloars and Smiths Well Creek, so I am calling on people in the Far West to visit the SRITP-Far West web page and drop a pin to highlight your concerns with these sections of this vital transport artery. The more pins, the more likely these places will be prioritised for upgrades."

The consultation is open to all residents, with particular relevance for pastoralists, transport operators and businesses relying on reliable road access across the region.

The Silver City Highway serves as a key freight and tourism route, connecting Broken Hill to communities south through to the Victorian border.

Community members can have their say at https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/far-west