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Proper action to address deteriorating roads improve road safety in Latrobe Valley needed says Martin Cameron

Martin Cameron calls on the state government to address deteriorating roads in Latrobe Valley. He criticises the compensation threshold for road damage, rising fatalities, and budget cuts. Cameron urges proper action for road safety.

By news@gippsland - 27th October 2023 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, is urging the state government to ditch band-aid fixes and take real action to repair crumbling roads in the Latrobe Valley. Following recent heavy rainfall, already dangerous roads across the region have become more hazardous and poorly patched potholes have been exposed. "People have reported sustaining serious damage to their vehicles because of the state of our roads, but ridiculously the threshold for compensation from VicRoads is $1500," Mr Cameron said.

'Instead of telling motorists to drive to the conditions on a rapidly deteriorating network of roads, the state government needs to get serious about ensuring the safety of regional Victorians,' says Martin Cameron MP

Road safety concerns

Mr Cameron also said, "More seriously, there have been 135 lives lost on regional roads this year - an increase of 22% from last year. Yet at a time when regional roads need more work than ever, Labor has cut more than $260 million from road maintenance funding."

Mr Cameron recently wrote to the Minister for Roads regarding the state of Hazelwood Road after hearing concerns about its uneven surface, broken edging and dangerous water pooling. "People who have used Hazelwood Road for 10 years tell me there have been signs warning of 'rough surface' for some 5 years, yet no attempt has been made in that time to actually repair the road."

Road safety urgency

In response, the Minister for Roads dismissed these valid concerns and said: 'the condition of Hazelwood Road is generally considered comparable to other similar roads within the Gippsland region'.

"Given Gippsland is home to some of the worst roads in the state, the assertion that Hazelwood Road is on par with others in the region is of very little comfort. Instead of telling motorists to drive to the conditions on a rapidly deteriorating network of roads, the state government needs to get serious about ensuring the safety of regional Victorians," Mr Cameron said.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  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.
• Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support.
• Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
  Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland.
• Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
  Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain.
• Bass Coast Shire Council seeks feedback on new waste charge proposal with various session dates in September and feedback closing on 21 October 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council is consulting on a proposed waste charge for all rateable properties, aiming to fairly share costs and improve transparency around community waste services.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
  A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions.
• East Gippsland Shire Council calls for election funding to unlock thousands of homes across the shire
  East Gippsland Council is seeking $12 million in Victorian Election funding for infrastructure projects in Paynesville, Lakes Entrance and Lucknow, supporting thousands of new homes.
• Free green waste disposal at South Gippsland transfer stations and other council updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s latest updates cover free green waste disposal, road maintenance, summer fire preparation, community events, bird flu advice, swimming pool feedback, energy planning and local opportunities.
• The Nationals pledge to keep Victoria's coal-fired power stations operating amid growing electricity supply concerns
  The Nationals' Martin Cameron has pledged existing Victorian coal-fired power stations will not close early, warning of electricity shortages, higher prices and job losses while advocating firm generation and gas investment.