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Darren Chester calls for Federal government funding to complete Sale alternative route safety upgrade project

Darren Chester urges the federal government to match State funding for the Sale alternative route upgrade, including a new roundabout, to improve safety and productivity for locals and visitors.

By news@gippsland - 6th January 2025 - Back to News

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 last year's State Budget. Mr Chester said the plan to upgrade the Sale alternative route, including a new roundabout on the Maffra-Sale Rd intersection, had stagnated under the Albanese government.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the federal government should provide its share of funding for a major intersection upgrade on the Sale alternative route

Road funding stalled

Mr Chester said, "Transport Minister Catherine King has wasted almost three years in the job without funding a single new road project in Gippsland. The Princes Highway duplication and bridge strengthening on the Sale alternative route were all funded by the previous government, and we're waiting for the Minister to show some interest in the next stage of road safety upgrades."

Mr Chester said the popular alternative to using the Princes Highway to effectively bypass Sale needed additional funding to improve safety and productivity for locals and visitors. "The state government finally agreed to provide $10.9 million for the roundabout project on the Sale alternative route after years of lobbying by local council, transport operators and my office."

Bridge funding urgency

Mr Chester said, "Now we need the Albanese government to come on board with a matching grant, and we can get the job started. We need to see a commitment 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."

"Once the bridge strengthening work is completed, we should be getting started on the new roundabout as a matter of urgency, but that will require the federal government to deliver the additional funding," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Morwell Historical Society opens exhibition celebrating Northway Family’s pioneering legacy and Hazelwood’s early history for community visitors
  Federal and state MPs opened Morwell Historical Society’s Pioneering Northway Family Exhibition, showcasing three generations of Hazelwood pioneers through photographs, documents and maps until November 29.
• Liberal Nationals introduce bill to repeal Labor's firearms laws and abolish national gun buyback scheme
  Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has introduced a Bill, seconded by Andrew Wilcox, to repeal Labor’s firearms laws, restore previous Commonwealth regulations and abolish the stalled National Gun Buyback Scheme.
• Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
  Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care.
• Danny O’Brien urges premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
  Danny O’Brien urges the Premier to delay VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s election, allowing community input and addressing landholder and environmental concerns.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• Latrobe City Council welcomes enforcement action targeting illegal tobacco and vape trading to improve community safety and support local businesses
  Latrobe City Council has welcomed enforcement action by Tobacco Licensing Victoria and Victoria Police’s Viper Taskforce against illegal tobacco and vape trading, supporting community safety, lawful businesses and safer town centres.
• Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community achievements and strong financial performance across the region
  Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community events, environmental initiatives and financial achievements, including new trails, bike facilities and more than 369,000 native plants.
• Danny O’Brien urges Premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
  Danny O’Brien is urging the Premier to delay awarding VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s state election, citing landholder concerns and unresolved environmental, financial and property impacts.
• Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
  The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.
• Coastal erosion forces indefinite closure of Kilcunda Rail Trail section for safety from 26 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety.
• Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to include the region among Victoria's three free dental clinic locations
  Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to select Latrobe City for a free regional dental clinic, improving affordable healthcare access and reducing cost-of-living pressures.
• Latrobe Council urges Premier Carroll to fast-track investment, industry growth and secure future jobs in Valley
  Latrobe City Council has urged newly appointed Premier Ben Carroll to meet urgently on economic diversification, investment and job creation as the region faces energy transition, manufacturing job losses and Yallourn 2028 closure.
• Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
  The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028.
• Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
  The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges Victorian election candidates to cut red tape and boost farm gate tourism opportunities
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reduce red tape and ease planning restrictions on farm gate businesses, reforms could boost agritourism, support local producers, create jobs and strengthen regional tourism.