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Tim Bull urges more funding for East Gippsland roads in Victorian Parliament

Tim Bull urges more investment in East Gippsland roads, citing poor maintenance and quality of construction. Calls for increased budget allocation.

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

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull has yet again raised in State Parliament the need for greater investment in East Gippsland roads. He told Parliament, "while I acknowledge the $2.6 million recently announced to repair a 1.8 kilometre horror stretch of the Great Alpine Road between Ensay and Swift's Creek, 'this is not even the tip of the iceberg in relation to what needs to be done."

The government must not reduce road funding and neglect wet weather conditions, additional investment is necessary

Insufficient road funding

Mr Bull said, "This government cannot cut road maintenance funding and expect the situation on the ground to end any other way. The fact it has been a wet period would indicate an even bigger allocation is needed, but your own budget papers show a reduction."

"I could not start to mention the roads here in the chamber that need addressing in my area alone, as I would run out of time, but the lack of investment needs reversing. In a few months we will have a new Budget, the allocation to country roads must increase significantly." Mr Bull said.

False road claims

Mr Bull said, "Our roads have suffered from the wet weather of recent years, but the problems existed before then due to lack of investment and lack of quality of construction which has seen new works fail within weeks. Deep potholes have had countless temporary fixes that fail quickly, rather than the permanent solution that is required."

"The previous Roads Minister touted in Parliament last year, Victorian roads are smoother and safer. East Gippslanders know this is a big porky pie and it must change. It's time to invest in our roads to the levels required and ensure the standard of work is to a level that will survive the test of time and not fail within weeks or months of the work taking place."

"In many cases it is not the fault of the contractor. I have even had contractors tell me works will fail before they start, because the tenders do not allow them to do the work to the level they know is required. The government must fix this and make the real investment that is needed," Mr Bull said.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Maffra student Jaxon Marshall champions resilient agriculture during National Youth Parliament visit to Canberra
  Maffra student Jaxon Marshall represented Gippsland at National Youth Parliament, delivering a passionate speech advocating resilient agriculture, regenerative farming, research and stronger support for farmers and Australia’s future.
• Carran Carran restoration project strengthens river health, habitat connectivity and flood resilience across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA's long-term Carran Carran restoration project is improving river health, reducing flood-related avulsion risks, restoring habitat connectivity, controlling willows and supporting native fish, agriculture and communities.
• Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
  Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Darren Chester discusses democracy, civics and federal parliament with St Paul's Year 9 students in Traralgon
  Darren Chester visited St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon, discussing civics, democracy, Parliament and community issues with engaged Year 9 students and encouraging young people to participate in Australia's democratic process.
• Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
  The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028.
• Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
  Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities.
• 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.