Metropolitan and regional councils in NSW will get a $500 million boost to help repair the state’s battered road network following months of extreme weather events.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the new Regional and Local Roads Repair program on Tuesday saying it will support councils as they continue urgent repair work.

Repairing potholes is top of the list for many councils, Mr Perrottet said.

“We recognise potholes are a major hazard right now,” he said. “This critical funding injection will help every council across the state patch up potholes as well as carry out other emergency repair work.”

Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said hundreds of thousands of potholes had opened up across the state and some roads had been washed away by landslips.

“This $500 million boost is on top of the $50 million already provided … to help regional councils carry out emergency pothole repairs,” Mr Toole said.

170,000 potholes repaired

More than 170,000 potholes and state-owned roads equal to 140 standard football fields have been repaired in the state since February, the government says.

The government is working with local councils to develop methods to fix potholes faster, including the use of new rapid sealing products and technology that can identity risk areas for potholes before they form and prioritise repairs.

The new funding comes on top of the federal  government’s  $1.5 billion commitment on state roads.

Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway says the application process will be simple and cash will be available immediately.

“The new funding will start landing in councils’ bank accounts within weeks so work can begin right away on repairing the essential roads locals, tourists and freight operators use every day,” Mr Farraway said.

Funding under the $500 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program is available to Local Government areas in Greater Sydney and Regional NSW. Repair work must be carried out by 31 December 2023.