Gippsland › Latest news › Martin Cameron MP
Labor shuts down Regional Roads Victoria, abandoning critical road safety projects, says Martin Cameron
The Nationals' Martin Cameron criticises Labor's closure of Regional Roads Victoria, accusing the government of neglecting regional road safety, stalling critical projects, and underfunding maintenance, endangering rural communities.
The Allan Labor Government has covertly shut down Regional Roads Victoria in a move that shows it has officially abandoned its duty of care for roads outside of Melbourne, according to The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron. The Regional Roads Victoria website has been taken offline and was replaced by a "Transport Victoria" website in August, and the phone line is dead.
Mega city projects have exceeded budgets by over $40 billion, while reduced road funding jeopardises regional road safety, with resurfacing works cut by two-thirds since 2020, endangering rural communities
Regional roads abandoned
Launched by the former Minister for Roads in 2018, Regional Roads Victoria was touted as an agency that would ensure "regional communities have the safe and reliable roads they deserve". Documents obtained by the Opposition under Freedom of Information also reveal that Labor skimmed $1.57 million from a federal BlackSpot Program fund that was meant to improve safety on regional roads.
The last remaining government-owned road maintenance firm, Sprayline Road Services, is also being prepared for sale. "By dumping Regional Roads Victoria, Labor has sent a clear message that it was never serious about improving roads and road safety for regional Victorians There are several critical road projects across the Latrobe Valley that have stalled under Labor, and now we're left with the impression they've been abandoned altogether," Mr Cameron said.
Promised upgrades uncertain
Mr Cameron also said, "Residents have been campaigning for works to begin at the Bank Street intersection in Traralgon and the Waterloo Road-Lloyd Street level crossing in Moe - are these long-promised upgrades going to be dumped too? Mega city projects have blown out by more than $40 billion, and it's the taxpayers who bear the costs, and they'll bear the costs again of Regional Roads Victoria shutting down."
"Road maintenance funding is 16 per cent less than it was in 2020 and the amount of road resurfacing works this year will drop by two-thirds. The chronic under-spending across regional Victoria is having dire consequences on our roads, and ultimately the safety of regional Victorians is being compromised. Labor can't manage money, can't manage regional roads, and Victorians are paying the price.," Mr Cameron said.
Pictures from Martin Cameron MP Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Backpacker incentive cuts could devastate regional economies, threatening jobs and farmers across regional Australia
Sailors Grave Brewing expands with new brewery, creating jobs and showcasing East Gippsland's heritage beers
Russell Broadbent highlights the net-zero double standard ignoring the environmental impact of renewable energy projects
Darren Chester criticises Labor for neglecting Cann Valley Highway, citing safety risks and budget cuts
David Littleproud to meet Gippsland farm leaders, discuss agriculture policies during two-day regional tour
Tim Bull disapproves of the Labor cutting CFA funding and fire management jobs, jeopardising East Gippsland safety
Tim Bull expresses relief over the continuation of the wild dog control program, ensuring vital protection for Gippsland livestock farmers
Discover West Gippsland's east end on a road trip in Yarragon, Trafalgar, and Thorpdale
BBC Everest completes key infrastructure delivery for ExxonMobil's Kipper Project at Bass Strait's Tuna Platform
