June 1, 2012
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester will accept an offer from the Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the future of the Princes Highway east between Sale and the New South Wales border.
Minister Albanese made the offer after Mr Chester raised questions in Parliament on behalf of motorists who regularly use the stretch of road.
Mr Chester has been highlighting the importance of road safety upgrades along the Princes Highway east which experienced more than 20 fatalities between 2005 and 2010. Currently the road is ineligible for Federal funding because unlike the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale, it is not recognised as a road of national importance.
The section between Traralgon and Sale is currently undergoing the first stage of a duplication process with $140 million allocated by the Federal Government and $35 million allocated by the State Government.
“What is the government’s attitude to the status of the highway from Wollongong through Eden-Monaro and Gippsland to Sale, where it joins up with the national road network section on which work is currently underway?” Mr Chester asked the Minister in Parliament.
“This area has quite significant heavy vehicle usage, with the timber industry, the fishing industry, the moving of agricultural products and the local and tourism related traffic increasing. Does the government see this as a priority? What advice do you have for the communities along that route to get more of the federal funding pie to ensure we improve the safety and productivity of the road in that region?”
Minister Albanese said that while the road was currently the responsibility of the State Government he would like to discuss the future of the road with Mr Chester.
“With regard to issues with the highway beyond Sale, the section of the Princes Highway that the member refers to is a State road and the responsibility of the Victorian Government,” Minister Albanese said.
“We have not had representation from the Victorian government for additional funding that I am aware of. I would invite the member to have further discussions with me to find a constructive way of dealing with this.”
Mr Chester said he would seek a meeting with the Federal Minister and neighbouring New South Wales MP Mike Kelly. He also intends to keep working closely with State MP Tim Bull to secure additional funding for safety upgrades from both the State and Federal governments.
Pictured: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and State Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull inspect road shoulders along the Princes Highway east.