Approach to road recategorisation

We are seeking input from NSW road managers, predominantly councils, on a renewed business-as-usual approach to reviewing and enacting changes to State, Regional and Local road categories.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the NSW Road Network is fit for purpose and roads are defined and managed appropriately according to their role within the broader network context.

Transport for NSW is seeking to partner with NSW road managers to introduce the approach to road recategorisation with an aim to ensure that the NSW road transport network is being appropriately managed and funded.

We are consulting with local government and other NSW road managers on this updated approach to understand whether it is fit for purpose or if further clarification is needed before the approach is implemented. The intention for this renewed approach is to run on a routine, as needs basis rather than through periodic reviews, which were previously carried out.

The three administrative categories of State, Regional and Local roads, determine funding and responsibility for the maintenance of a road.

State and Local governments fund and manage the roads network through maintenance and other related roads services.

  • The State Government is primarily responsible for funding, prioritising and carrying out capital and maintenance works on State Roads.
  • Local councils are primarily responsible for funding, prioritising and carrying out works on Regional Roads and Local Roads. Noting Regional Roads are partly funded by the NSW Government.

Tell us what you think

The project team is asking stakeholders to review the approach, including updated definitions and criteria.

Your feedback is a key part to ensuring we get this approach right and introduce a more straightforward and transparent process for road managers to identify and submit road network change requests. Feedback will support the finalisation of this approach so it can be implemented later this year.

Please read through each of the guidance notes linked below and in the Documents section of this page to better understand the renewed approach to carrying out these change requests prior to providing your feedback.

Please complete the online survey by Friday 7 March 2025. If you have further questions, please contact us at nswroadreviews@transport.nsw.gov.au.