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Ingram Has Solution To Fix Roads Crisis

An effort to deal with the decaying road system in country Victoria

By Craig Ingram MP - 17th July 2002 - Back to News

The Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called on the State Government to take over responsibility for road funding entirely in an effort to deal with the decaying road system in country Victoria.

The Independent MP made the comments in a submission to the State Government following the release of a discussion paper by the Department of Infrastructure titled Road Standards and the Legal Duties of Road Authorities.

The discussion paper follows a decision by the High Court last year to throw out the idea of non-feasance. Non-feasance is the term used to prevent councils from being sued even if they fail to maintain a road or bridge. It is based on the idea that councils cannot be expected to know the state of each road in their municipality.

"The option put forward in the State Government’s discussion paper to have the government set standards of road maintenance is only addressing the symptoms of a much greater problem," Mr Ingram said.

"So is the National Party’s call for the reinstatement of non-feasance, with which I agree.

"The State Government issued the discussion paper dealing with the implications of the High Court ruling that leaves road authorities open to claims for compensation from allegations of failure to maintain roads to an appropriate standard.

"The High Court’s decision will impose a significant burden on councils, and as the discussion paper acknowledges, rural councils in particular. Statistics demonstrate that rural councils are not in a position to bear this burden.

"For example, while the rate revenue expended on roads by Greater Dandenong Council is less than $5 per person, East Gippsland Shire spends $162 per head of rate revenue on roads and Yarriambiack Shire spends about $320 per person on roads.

"Governments ought to respond to the High Court’s decision not only by legislating to restore non-feasance, but by also putting in place a realistic formula that ensures adequate funding.

"The community will not gain if roads or bridges are closed or other services are cut to pay for the increased number of inspections and legal claims and an increase in road standards necessary to apply the High Court’s decision.

"The discussion paper’s preferred option (option 3) for the State Government to articulate standards for the inspection, maintenance and repair road maintenance is unacceptable.

"For the State or Commonwealth governments to impose standards on rural municipalities without providing the money to enable them to comply would force the closure of many country roads."

Mr Ingram said the solution is for the State Government to take over responsibility for road funding entirely.

"It would cost approximately $216 million, compared with the subsidy for metropolitan public transport of $720 million.

"A Victorian Roads Fund should be set up to fund all road works in the state, including ‘local’ roads currently funded by municipalities.

"This proposal embraces the concept that all roads are for all people and the degree to which property owners benefit from road construction and maintenance is reflected in the value of real estate.

"A levy of just 5.8% of total rate revenue over the whole state will recoup the amount needed to fund local roads to their present standard.

"The State Government and it alone would then be accountable for the condition of every road throughout the state.

"The Commonwealth and State governments have turned the responsibility for road funding into a ‘pass the parcel’ exercise that is intolerable in any fair-minded and just society," Mr Ingram said.

Source: http://east.gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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