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Call For State To Match Great Alpine Road FundsThe State Government has been asked to contribute $6.5 million to help with the upgrade of the Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Ensay, following a commitment for that amount from the Federal Government. By Peter Hall - 8th October 2004 - Back to News Gippsland MP Peter Hall, speaking in State Parliament this week (week commencing 4 October), said the road was marketed as one of the major tourism roads in Victoria.
Mr Hall said with the Federal Government leading the way, it needed the state government to chip in another $6.5 million to match that figure to bring the road up to standard.
"I wish to congratulate the federal government on its commitment to provide $6.5 million for the upgrade of the Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Ensay," Mr Hall told the Parliament.
"It was only four or five weeks ago that a public meeting was held in Omeo, which I attended with 150 or more locals, where there was a cry for money to be allocated for this road.
"I was delighted to welcome John Anderson, the federal Minister for Transport and the Leader of The Nationals, to Bruthen (in September) to make this very important announcement for East Gippsland.
"He was accompanied by the federal member for Gippsland, Peter McGauran, who I must congratulate for his outstanding advocacy in getting this $6.5 million in super quick time. Mr McGauran has achieved that within a matter of weeks, and for that he needs to be congratulated."
In Parliament, Mr Hall called on the state government to match that $6.5 million in funding.
"This B class road, what we call the Great Alpine Road, is marketed as one of the major tourism roads in Victoria."
He added, however that money was needed from the State Government to ensure that it was of the required standard. "The federal government is leading the way. I call on the state government to match that figure."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

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