Dungog's Mayor John Connors talks about road reclassification

Road reclassification is when the responsibility to fund maintainance for certain roads is shifted between the state government and local councils. What makes Dungog unique is that it's the only Shire in NSW without a state road, according to Mr Connors.

Dungog council is looking for the reclassification of certain roads for a sense of certainty in future works. The current system for funding roads has made Dungog council reliant on state and federal grants which has already caused issues.

"There is absolutely no certainty, we wouldn't have a clue of money we might get in grants next year," Mr Connors said.

"It's the lack of certainty that's the real problem with the grants... The budget... has a total spend of about $69 million. Of that, $50 million will be spent on roads and bridges... Our own revenue is probably $10 to $12 million, the rest of that comes from government grants."

In other news:

Dungog Council is appealing for Clarence Town road, Dungog road and Stroud Hill road to be reclassified in order to ensure that funding for these roads remains consistent and isn't dependent on grant funding, however Mr Connors doesn't believe that this is likely to happen.

"The current minister, Jenny Aitchison has said at two events... The Country Mayors meeting in Sydney and the NSW Roads Congress, she effectively said reclassification is not going to happen but they will look at individual cases," Mr Connors said.

"We'll certainly push our case that we're a bit of an exceptional circumstance in that we are the only council in NSW that doesn't have a state road."

In the meantime Dungog Council is asking people to report any damaged roads by calling the Council Service Centre at 4995 7777.