Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling on the Federal Government to commit funding for an important road safety project that was half-funded in the State Budget.
The proposal to build a new roundabout on the Maffra-Sale Rd intersection with Fulham-Myrtlebank Rd would improve safety and productivity for locals and visitors, according to Mr Chester.
“The State Government has finally agreed to provide $10.9 million for this project on the Sale alternative route after years of lobbying by local council, transport operators and my office,” Mr Chester said.
“We had the chance to secure 80% of the funding from the previous Coalition Government, but we could never convince the Melbourne Labor Ministers to provide the 20% required to get the job done.
“Now the funding rules have been changed by the Albanese Government, and the State Government is required to provide a 50-50 split. By waiting so long, Gippslanders have been short-changed and will now pay more for a road that could’ve been fixed years ago.
“After two years with no funding commitments to new road projects in Gippsland, hopefully, the Federal Budget next week will provide a matching grant.”
Mr Chester has repeatedly asked Transport Minister Catherine King for information on priority road projects for which the previous government had allocated funding.
“Instead of actually investing money in better, safer roads, the Minister has wasted her first two years in office with a protracted review and failed to start a single new project in Gippsland,” Mr Chester said.
“We need to see a commitment in the Federal Budget to deliver funding for safety and productivity improvements on key road corridors, which will save lives, create jobs and deliver long-term benefits to the region.”
