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Gippsland › Latest news › Philip Davis

Liberals Boost Country Road Funding – Locals To Have Say

Dilapidated and dangerous roads and bridges throughout country Victoria will receive a substantial boost under a Liberal Government, Shadow Minister for Country Victoria said today.

By Philip Davis - 16th September 2005 - Back to News

Mr Davis said the Liberal’s Plan for Better and Safer Roads for Victoria will result in an extra $127 million injection into country roads and bridges and will be welcome relief to local councils who struggle to keep their infrastructure in good condition under the Bracks Government.

While funds are available from the Commonwealth for road and bridge repair through the Roads to Recovery (R2R) program, the Bracks Government has failed to provide any help to local roads in country Victoria.

This shortfall has lead to roads continually deteriorating and claiming innocent lives.

"The Liberal Party’s Plan for Better and Safer Roads for Victoria will provide extra funds to local councils for the provision of road and bridge repair," Mr Davis said.

"A Liberal Government will match the current level of funding provided by the Commonwealth through the R2R program, beginning from 1 January 2008.

"This is an unprecedented policy as State Governments have never directly funded councils’ local roads before.

"$127 million of this package will go to country roads and bridges and $29 million to metropolitan councils, Mr Davis said.

"All councils in Victoria will benefit from this plan but the majority of the funds will be directed to rural and country Victoria."

Country Victorians will also take control of what road and bridge projects in their regions take precedence, with a Liberal Government handing control back to local councils.

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

"So rather than allowing the State Government decide which infrastructure requires work, local councils will be able to choose which road or bridge the funding is spent on."

The Liberal Party is returning the power back to country Victoria.

* NB: Please find attached the full details of funding allocations to all Victorian councils.

A PLAN FOR BETTER AND SAFER ROADS IN VICTORIA

ALLOCATIONS TO RURAL & REGIONAL CITIES, SHIRES AND COUNCILS

A PLAN FOR BETTER AND SAFER ROADS IN VICTORIA

ALLOCATIONS TO METROPOLITAN COUNCILS

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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