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Country Roads And Bridges Miss Out In Budget

Country Victorians have been left out of the State Budget, with no funding for local country roads and bridge infrastructure.

By Phillip Davis - 31st May 2006 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said yesterday’s budget was disappointing for country Victorians, who are tired of playing second fiddle to metropolitan Melbourne.

Mr Davis said the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Victorian Farmers Federation had highlighted the need for funding for country road and bridge infrastructure in pre-budget submissions to the Labor Government.

"The Labor Government has a responsibility to look after country roads and bridges, but has shown sheer arrogance in ignoring country Victorians, the MAV and VFF," Mr Davis said.

"Country councils across Victoria are struggling with this infrastructure, while the Labor Government ignores this plight and redirects much-needed funds for its own advertising campaigns and other wasteful endeavors.

Mr Davis said a Liberal Government on the other hand would inject an extra $127 million into country roads and bridges.

"A Liberal Government will match the current level of funding provided by the Commonwealth through the Roads to Recovery (R2R) program, beginning from 1 January 2008," Mr Davis said.

"The significant difference between the Liberal Party’s funding plan and R2R, is that a Liberal Government would not require a matching funding contribution from the councils.

"A total of $127 million will be allocated to country roads and bridges, plus $29 million for metropolitan councils."

Mr Davis said a Liberal Government would also hand control back to country Victorians, allowing councils to nominate what local road and bridge projects take precedence for funding.

"Country people who are driving on these roads and across dilapidated bridges every day know better than anyone else what needs to be done," he said.

A Liberal Government will not ignore the needs of country Victoria.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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