Federal Liberal Candidate for Gilmore Andrew Constance says local roads funding will be his top priority because of community concerns, and the poor state of some of the state's South Coast roads.
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"The maintenance backlog on local road repairs is beyond crisis point, particularly in the Shoalhaven," Mr Constance said.
"I have listened to the locals about the state of their roads, and I intend to provide strong and consistent advocacy on this issue.
"While the focus must remain on the Princes Highway, we can't let the local road network continue to disintegrate at the rate it is.
"Farmers, motorists,business owners and families are all paying too high a price for the state of our local roads.
"Working with Shoalhaven City Council we must solve this crisis.
"Structurally, the roads have fallen to pieces and a major resealing program is required; not just pothole repairs."
Mr Constance, a long-standing Minister for Roads, said that the local roads have fallen into such disrepair that the cost of solving the problem is beyond the council's resources.
"Bolstering the region's resilience is key and our road network plays a critical part," Mr Constance said.
"Local council roads were bad enough and they've been made worse by the effect of heavy rains caused by La Nina.
"Roads out to the Bay and Basin area have been hit by significant wear and tear with additional seasonal traffic from the holidays.
"I will be arguing for additional funding beyond the Roads to Recovery Program allocations."
He said every community in the Shoalhaven is expressing concern about potholes and the dangers associated with the local road network.
"I'm coming across potholes and problems on every road that I drive on. They need urgent attention and I intend to make road repairs, my priority," he concluded.
