Locals and visitors risk being killed or seriously injured on the Cann Valley Highway because the Labor Party is refusing to invest in the regional road network, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Mr Chester said the Victorian section of the road between Cann River and Bombala was in ‘appalling condition’ as a direct result of budget cuts, and it was having an impact on safety and family finances.
“This is our major route for agricultural products to reach Canberra and Sydney, along with a critical transport connection for locals and visitors, but it’s simply falling apart from neglect,” Mr Chester said.
“When I started driving as an 18-year-old, the Victorian side of the Monaro Highway was always in better condition than New South Wales, but sadly, no one is making that claim today.
“The most common sign when you cross the border into Victoria is ‘traffic hazard ahead’, and there’s even a section that has permanent 60km/hr speed restrictions in place, and no work is being done.
“Apart from dodging crater-like potholes, which are a menace to smaller vehicles, motorcyclists, and anyone towing a boat, caravan or horse float… the Cann Valley Highway has poor sight lines and a lack of safety features.
“The State Government is 100% responsible for the road, but when I was Transport Minister, I did a deal with Victoria to co-fund $10 million worth of improvements. That money has all been spent, and there’s been no new funding from the Labor Party to undertake more work in recent years.”
Mr Chester said the Andrews-Allan Government had cut funding for resurfacing works to its lowest level in five years at the same time as the Albanese Government had changed the formula for co-funding road projects.
Data released to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee shows that the Allan Government has cut funding for road resurfacing works, and it’s now at the lowest level in five years.
“The State Government owns the road, but the Albanese Government has also reduced its support for regional road upgrades by demanding a 50-50 funding split. In the past, under a Coalition Government, we were able to offer the State Government 80% of the funding to improve the arterial road network in the regions,” Mr Chester said.
“The end result is less money is being spent on the regional road network at a time when deaths and serious injuries have increased.
“Basic maintenance is being ignored, and the road surface is falling apart, which puts lives at risk and causes damage to vehicles.
“If we are expected to drive in cars that are roadworthy, surely we can expect the State and Federal Governments to provide roads that are carworthy?
“It’s an absolute disgrace which is contributing to crashes and hitting every day road users with more costs to fix their tyres, axles and broken windscreens. As families struggle to pay their bills, they are copping extra costs to fix cars that poorly maintained roads have damaged.
“I will keep working with my state and federal colleagues to force the state and federal governments to start taking regional roads seriously and increase funding for the Victorian road network.”
