The NSW Labor Government has unveiled plans to upgrade the dirt road that's been integral to the success of an iconic tourism event in Far West NSW.
More than 12,000 fans attended last year's Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill but had to travel on an unsealed 2.5 kilometre section of Wilangee Road to get there.
Following years of calls ignored by the former Liberal and National Government, the NSW Labor Government has listened to locals and recognised the need to seal Wilangee Road from Umberumberka Dam to just past the Mundi Mundi Bash event location at Belmont Station.
Event organisers have repeatedly called for an upgrade to better manage traffic and safety issues and provide all weather access to and from the site.
Now thanks to a more than $1.8 million investment by the NSW Labor Government, festival goers will be able to travel to the Mundi Mundi Bash on a sealed road for the first time in 2025.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
"The NSW Labor Government is working hard to build better communities across regional NSW and this investment in local road infrastructure will support the growth of an iconic tourism event.
"It's great to be back in Broken Hill for this announcement. When I was here six months ago, I saw the tourism benefits of this simple road project which were ignored by the former Government.
"Sealing this section of Wilangee Road will provide economic and tourism benefits to Broken Hill and ensure future Mundi Mundi Bashes are safer and more enjoyable for the thousands of visitors who attend every year."
Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:
"It's great to hear that the Minister has listened and supports the safety and welfare of festival goers and locals in the Unincorporated Area of the Far West. Dust and rain on an unsealed road can be extremely hazardous and this promise of an all-weather road surface will help to ensure that the Mundi Mundi Bash will continue for years to come.
"Last year over 5,000 vehicles and 12,000 people travelled along the Wilangee Road to enter the Mundi Mundi Bash. The dust was visible for kilometres and a hazard for people driving to and from the event as well as the many volunteers who travel to Mundi Mundi to give their time to make the event run smoothly. This year the concert is a sell out at 14,000 people.
"The economic benefits of this music event for Silverton, Broken Hill and all the regional towns along the way cannot be underestimated. It gives people living in these rural and remote communities the confidence that the government is supporting them."
Labor's spokesperson for Barwon Stephen Lawrence said:
"It's so important for local voices to be heard when it comes to investment in the assets they use frequently and rely upon.
"Transport for NSW's Community Partnering team have worked closely with local representatives, such as the Silverton Village Committee to help ensure the Mundi Mundi Bash is a success.
"The locals made it clear how vital this section of Wilangee Road is, and this partnership is an example of how government and locals can come together to bring about positive outcomes for communities."
Greg Donovan, Managing Director Outback Music Festival Group:
"For years I've been calling for Wilangee Road to be sealed for the thousands of people that travel from all over to get to our festival in outback NSW annually. Upgrading this dirt road will provide a smoother final journey for cars, trucks and bikes that need to use this route to get to Belmont Station, and having it sealed will help ensure the show can go on in the event of heavy rains.
"We're really proud of the positive benefits our music festivals have had on remote regional communities and it's great to see the NSW Government recognise the importance of supporting safe travel for those attending the Mundi Mundi Bash, which provides increased economic activity for local businesses in and around Broken Hill."
