Building better local roads was the top issue raised by constituents through Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor’s ‘Supersize Survey’ at Sunday’s Thirlmere Steam Festival.

“The overwhelming feedback I received from constituents at Thirlmere was that they want to see local roads fixed,” Mr Taylor said.

“They commute along these roads daily, taking kids to school and driving to work. They need them to be safe and reliable, which is why the Federal Government has invested significantly in the Wollondilly Shire through initiatives such as the Roads to Recovery programme and Financial Assistance Grants.”

From 2014-15 to 2018-19, Wollondilly Shire is receiving over $5.5 million in Roads to Recovery funding. This is $1.9m more than originally budgeted as a result of the indexation of the fuel excise. A further $3.4m in Financial Assistance Grants has also gone to Wollondilly Shire this financial year.

“This is extraordinary infrastructure investment going directly to the Council and it is important it is being put to maximum use for the benefit of the community,” Mr Taylor said.

He said tackling crime and drugs, as well as improving mobile and internet connectivity, were also key issues among those surveyed at the Steam Festival.

“The Government has been working closely with support providers and law enforcement agencies to address the scourge of drugs, particularly ice,” he said.

“We recently announced a $1 million partnership with Crime Stoppers for the Dob in a Dealer campaign to boost local efforts to tackle the manufacturing and distribution of drugs.”

Mr Taylor said telecommunications was entering an exciting phase in the Wollondilly Shire, with the first of four mobile phone towers, funded under the Mobile Black Spot Programme, switched on at Werombi, and the NBN fibre to the node roll out commencing at The Oaks and Tahmoor. Planning for 22 NBN fixed wireless towers was also underway.