Cowra Council welcomes regional transport plan but calls for commitmen
Published on 01 October 2026
30th September 2026
Cowra Council welcomes regional transport plan but calls for commitment to second Lachlan River crossing
The NSW Government has released its final Central West and Orana Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, setting out how transport across the region will be planned and improved over the next 20 years.
Released on 26 August 2026, the Plan looks at the future of roads, freight, public transport and other transport connections across the Central West and Orana, and identifies priorities intended to guide future planning and investment.
For Cowra, the Plan includes some welcome steps, including investigating a future Cowra bypass, planning for Kendal Street, improving safety on roads into town, considering better public transport connections and improving key freight routes.
However, Cowra Council says one major priority is noticeably missing, a second road bridge across the Lachlan River.
Mayor of Cowra Paul Smith said while Council welcomes the recognition of several issues it has been advocating for, the lack of a clear pathway for a second river crossing is disappointing.
“Council welcomes the inclusion of a number of the priorities we raised during consultation,” said Paul Smith.
“These are issues that affect people travelling to work, taking children to school, moving freight, accessing services and simply getting around our town and region safely.
“But a second crossing of the Lachlan River remains one of Cowra’s most important long-term transport needs, and we want to see a clear pathway for this project.”
Cowra currently relies heavily on the existing Lachlan River crossing to connect both sides of town.
A second crossing would provide another way across the river when the existing route is affected by an accident, road closure, flooding or other disruption. It would also support freight movements through the region and help prepare Cowra’s road network for future growth.
For these reasons, a second crossing remains Council’s highest-priority transport infrastructure project.
“This is about making sure our community has a reliable way to get from one side of Cowra to the other, while also strengthening an important transport and freight route through our region,” the Mayor said.
“Council has been advocating for a second crossing for many years. We now want to see the NSW Government take the next step by formally recognising the project and establishing a clear process for its investigation and planning.”
Council will continue to advocate for the second Lachlan River crossing to be formally recognised in future Transport for NSW corridor and freight network planning.
The final Plan also acknowledges community and stakeholder interest in reopening the Cowra railway lines and the Blayney–Demondrille rail corridor for passenger and freight services.
While this recognition is welcomed, the Plan does not commit to reopening the lines. Instead, it proposes continuing to monitor demand and allowing the possibility to be reconsidered in the future.
Council believes Cowra’s road and rail connections have an important role to play in supporting the community, local businesses, agriculture, freight and the wider regional economy.
“There are some positive steps for Cowra in this Plan, and we welcome those,” the Mayor said.
“But for our community, the important question is what happens next. We want to see these priorities move from words in a plan to proper investigation, funding and, ultimately, projects on the ground.
“Council will continue working with and advocating to the NSW Government and Transport for NSW for safer, stronger and more reliable transport connections for Cowra and the wider region.”
ENDS