The Princes Highway has finally reopened in its entirety weeks after devastating bushfires that impacted East Gippsland.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the news after strongly advocating for the reopening.
“After weeks of frustration we have finally received the news we have been waiting for,” Mr Chester said.
“Thank you to everyone that worked tirelessly to clear the roads and repair any damage.
“Thank you to the timber industry workers, Australian Defence Force personnel and state government agencies.”
Mr Chester said the highway closure had severely impacted businesses and isolated a lot of small towns which were suffering.
“This needs to be something we learn from and something we do everything we can to stop it from happening again.
“Roadside verges need to be cleared and kept clear of trees and foliage so that when a fire does come through we don’t have trees falling across roads and such dangerous conditions,” Mr Chester said.
“As we enter the recovery phase we need work together to ensure a highway closure of this magnitude does not happen again.”
