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Victorian roads remain in dire shape as Andrews Labor government waste billions of taxpayers money

The Andrews Labor government must urgently inject additional funds to repair Victoria's dilapidated road network as years of budget cuts, waste and last year's floods take their toll.

By news@gippsland - 3rd March 2023 - Back to News

Victorian roads remain in a dire position as state government funding for post-flood reconstruction runs out and local roads are ignored altogether. Recent media reports indicate that $130 million of Labor's allocated $165 million has already been spent for repairs of flood affected roads around the state.

Recent media reports indicate that $130 million of Labor's allocated $165 million has already been spent for repairs of roads around the state

Need for post-flood reconstruction

The Victorian Transport Association estimates $1 billion is needed for post-flood reconstruction and repair work. Meanwhile, the state government has not allocated a single cent to help local councils with the repair of local roads - the roads that take Victorians home and to work, school and shopping.

This is in stark contrast to the $500 million allocated by the NSW government to help councils with road repairs. The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has said local roads and bridges were already in dire straits before the floods, as everyone except Labor MPs seems to acknowledge.

Immediate need for funding

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O'Brien, said the Andrews Labor government needs to urgently allocate additional funding to repair roads Victorians rely on. "The money announced so far by the government is a drop in the ocean and doesn't go anywhere close to addressing affected roads," Mr O'Brien said.

"Labor is kidding itself if it thinks the poor state of our roads is the result of last year's floods - the crisis has been building since Labor's first cut to the road maintenance budget way back in 2015."

"Our arterial roads are still in need of significant work, while local councils are buckling under the weight of the road maintenance backlog they're facing, especially in rural and flood-affected areas." Mr O'Brien said.

The Nationals Leader Peter Walsh, Shadow Minister for Roads Danny O'Brien and Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad

Support in repairing local roads

\Mr O'Brien also said, "Labor needs to immediately announce more funding to repair our roads and reverse its $215 million budget cut from the past two years. Our roads can't wait till the budget in May, this needs to happen now."

Mr O'Brien said the MAV's pre-budget submission calls for a minimum $320 million program to support councils in repairing local roads. "After axing the Country Roads and Bridges program when it came to government, Labor has presided over an ever-deteriorating roads network, while wasting $30 billion of taxpayers' money on cost blow-outs on its mega-transport projects. Just imagine what those funds could have done for our roads."

Pictures from Regional Roads Victoria Facebook page and Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• East Gippsland children share ideas, hopes, and concerns to shape community and celebrate local voices through MFEG project
  Nearly 800 East Gippsland children shared ideas and concerns through the MFEG project, highlighting community connection, recreation, environment, and social care, with postcards now displayed across local towns.
• Wellington Shire Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange surges ahead, handling one in 43 Victorian Cattle Sales in 2024
  Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange recorded a remarkable 122% increase in cattle throughput last financial year, making it the highest percentage increase of any saleyard in Australia.
• Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
  Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention.
• Baw Baw Shire Council invites community to join Biodiversity Blitz and help shape first nature plan from 1-30 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites residents to celebrate Biodiversity Month by joining the Biodiversity Blitz, recording local species, attending walk-and-talk events, and contributing ideas to shape the region's first Nature Plan.
• Six-year Thurra River campground closure triggers renewed demands for urgent government action before summer
  Tim Bull says East Gippslanders face another summer without Thurra River’s main campground, urging the Minister to expedite long-delayed approvals after six years, stressing local businesses rely on its reopening.
• Cape Paterson Traffic Plan adopted to improve safety through community-driven road and pedestrian upgrades
  Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted the Cape Paterson Traffic Management Plan, developed with strong community input to improve safety through speed reductions, traffic calming, better intersections, and pedestrian-cyclist connectivity.
• Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
  Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework.
• Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
  Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding.
• Darren Chester supports reforming the Coalition to unite Liberals and Nationals and deliver stronger government for Australia
  Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia.
• East Gippsland Youth Ambassadors lead with vision, proving young voices shape community and lasting impact
  Eight months in, East Gippsland Youth Ambassadors are shaping the region's future, addressing key issues, leading projects, and gaining leadership skills that build confidence, community engagement, and long-term positive impact.
• Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
  Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities.
• Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action.
• Latrobe City Council's Councillor Sharon Gibson joins Regional Cities Victoria mayors to shape 2026 regional agenda
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson joins Regional Cities Victoria mayors to shape 2026 agenda, advocating sustainable growth, investment, and workforce opportunities for regional Victoria’s cities and surrounding communities.
• Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
  The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs.
• Melina Bath criticises politicised VEAC, failing land management, while $1.4M could fund bushfire prevention, environmental services
  Melina Bath warns Victorian hunters and anglers against reduced services as Labor pushes VFA-GMA merger, urging proper funding, training, and enforcement to protect compliance, sustainability, and regional outdoor traditions.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• Peri Urban Councils advocate for housing, infrastructure, and policy recognition with state government
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria met government leaders at Spring Street, advocating for housing solutions, essential infrastructure funding, and policy recognition to support rapidly growing peri urban communities sustainably.
• Tim Bull criticises sudden last-minute VLine reductions from six to three carriages, causing tension due to limited rolling stock
  Victorian country train passengers are forced to stand up to four hours after last-minute carriage cuts, with MP Tim Bull urging PSOs and additional services to protect booked seating.