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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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• Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
  Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria.
• Bass Coast Shire Council joins Victorian councils urging review of mandatory separate kerbside glass recycling bin policy
  Bass Coast Council joins 35 Victorian councils urging the State Government to review mandatory glass recycling bins, seeking flexibility, transparency, cost-effectiveness and alignment with existing Container Deposit Scheme initiatives.
• Melina Bath criticises Allan government over poor safety ratings on Eastern Victoria roads
  Melina Bath criticises Allan government after AusRAP reveals most eastern Victoria roads rated one or two stars, highlighting neglect, poor maintenance, and increased risk of serious injury or fatalities.
• Peri Urban Councils Victoria reflecting on 2025 year of growth, advocacy, and stronger Peri-Urban communities
  As 2025 ends, PUCV reflects on a productive year of growth, advocacy, and connectivity improvements, thanking member councils and supporters, while preparing an ambitious agenda for 2026 and beyond.
• Auditor-General report criticises Victoria’s timber shutdown, citing job losses, insecure work and failed transition planning
  Auditor-General report criticises Victoria’s native timber shutdown, highlighting failed transition, job insecurity, and ongoing regional economic harm under the Allan government’s policy.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
  Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates.
• West Gippsland CMA invites dairy farmers to join effluent management project, expressions of interest open from 1-30 April 2026
  South Gippsland dairy farmers can apply for funding from 1 April 2026 to improve effluent management, boost soil health, reduce river pollution, and implement sustainable farm practices with expert guidance.
• Buckley Park Community Farm receives $10,000 South Gippsland Water grant for irrigation, hothouse and sustainable food production upgrades
  Buckley Park Community Farm received a $10,000 South Gippsland Water grant, funding irrigation upgrades, a chlorine filter, and a hothouse system to boost sustainability and local food production.
• Danny O’Brien congratulates Gippsland Volunteer Emergency Services on VESEP funding support
  Danny O’Brien praised Gippsland volunteer emergency services for VESEP funding, supporting vital equipment, facility upgrades, and ongoing advocacy for a new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel to ensure community safety.
• Melina Bath warns diesel crisis threatens regional Victoria, urging Allan government to prioritise agriculture, transport and food
  Melina Bath warned regional Victoria faces a diesel crisis, urging the Allan government to prioritise fuel for farms, transport, and households to protect food supply and regional economic stability.
• Darren Chester secures $20,000 to preserve Tambo Valley trenches commemorating Victoria's WWII history
  Darren Chester secured $20,000 funding to preserve the historic Tambo Valley Trenches, enhancing access, safety, and interpretation, while honouring East Gippsland's wartime history and boosting cultural tourism along the Great Alpine Road.
• World Wetlands Day celebrates West Gippsland’s culturally significant wetlands and enduring traditional owner knowledge
  World Wetlands Day highlights West Gippsland’s globally significant wetlands on Bunurong and Gunaikurnai Country, celebrating traditional knowledge, heritage and efforts protecting waterways, biodiversity and Country into the future.
• Committee for Gippsland hosts investment briefing with Victoria’s Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul
  The Committee for Gippsland hosted Victoria’s Investment Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul, discussing minerals, data centres, and strategies to attract private investment and boost regional economic growth.
• Tim Bull praises local police but urges stronger support and tougher charges for fleeing offenders
  Liberal and Nationals plan promises 3,000 extra Victoria Police officers and reopened stations, aiming to restore community safety and address rising crime across East Gippsland and Victoria.
• Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
  Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities.
• Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
  Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation.