The NSW Far West has access to a safer, smoother Pooncarie Road following completion of a $48.8m sealing project.

The Australian Government invested $31.7m and the NSW Government contributed $17.1m to the project, delivered by Wentworth Shire Council and Central Darling Shire Council between 2021 and 2024.

More than 75 people were employed on the sealing works boosting local employment.

Before the project was delivered, an 87.5 kilometre stretch of Pooncarie Road between Menindee and Pooncarie had a dirt surface, leaving motorists with slower travel times and regular road closures after heavy rainfall; some remote communities cut off for weeks at a time.

The sealing project, completed in recent months, has led to easier access to essential services, while also boosting freight efficiency and improving access to tourism opportunities. All vehicles, including caravans, can now enjoy year-round access to the mighty Menindee Lakes and Mungo National Park, with travel times cut by around 90 minutes between Menindee and Wentworth.

Wentworth Shire Mayor Daniel Linklater said the project was a transformative milestone for our region.

“The sealing of Pooncarie Road, connecting Pooncarie to Menindee, is a game-changer for tourism, road users, and local economies.

“Reliable year-round access makes travelling safer and more enjoyable while opening up new opportunities for local businesses, with Pooncarie already seeing travellers arriving earlier than ever before.”