Roads in East Gippsland will be safer for all motorists with the Liberals and Nationals announcing a record $10 billion in funding over 10 years to fix Victoria’s crumbling road system.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says the funding increase will be delivered through the annual road asset management budget, increasing spending from around $600 million to $1 billion annually. There will also be an audit of all state-managed roads.
“This $10 billion investment will deliver longer-term contracts to promote innovation, give contractors certainty to invest in better equipment and allow for strategic maintenance planning,” said Mr Bull.
“There will also be a review of construction standards, increasing accountability of VicRoads and contractors and a reduction in red and green tape that often escalates construction costs.
“The Nationals are committed to delivering better, safer roads by long-term, strategic planning across the road network.
“We all know the Great Alpine Road was ranked Victoria’s worst road, and the Princes Highway and the Monaro Highway road surfaces are no better, and there are many others.
“Driving around the electorate I’ve seen firsthand how dilapidated parts of our roads are, and it’s only getting worse with Labor MPs saying our concerns are ‘imagined fantasy’ and there is nothing wrong with them.
“These roads are key to local industry and tourism, while our transport sector is reliant on these networks for their livelihoods and need a safe workplace.
“We deserve better, and this commitment means our local roads will be better maintained.
Shadow Minister for Roads Danny O’Brien said after almost a decade of Andrews Labor Government neglect our roads have gone from bad to worse.
“The Andrews Labor Government has left Victoria’s road network crumbling, ignoring the genuine concern of road users across the state, in both the city and the country,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Labor cut the road maintenance budget by 10 per cent when it came to government and, on top of recent wet years, our roads have never recovered.
“It means Victorians won’t have to put up with band-aid solutions that only last weeks or months until the next heavy rain.”
“Better country roads save lives.”

Wednesday, 5 October 2022