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Recent pothole patching without permanent fix raises serious concerns over East Gippsland road maintenance and addressing when Victorian Parliament reconvenes

The recent patching of potholes without a permanent fix, combined with a 40% cut in roads funding over two years, raises serious concerns for Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

By news@gippsland - 22nd January 2024 - Back to News

The deplorable state of East Gippsland's roads will be back on the agenda when the State Parliament resumes in February. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said it was alarming the number of road warning and traffic hazard signs that had been situated on our roadsides for an extended period of time, without repairs being done.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull (right) and Shadow Minister for Roads, Danny O'Brien, recently inspected a number of roads issues in the Gippsland East electorate

Urgent investment needed

Mr Bull said, "What is also alarming is that just prior to Christmas a number of potholes were filled, but with Christmas traffic and without the permanent fix that was required, they are now, in many cases, just as bad as they originally were, if not worse."

"I met with Roads Minister Melissa Horne, pre-Christmas with Federal member Darren Chester, and we outlined the dire need for significant investment. It is not a problem unique to East Gippsland, and those who have travelled around the state will notice a similar circumstance in other areas," he said.

Deteriorating road conditions

Mr Bull said the deterioration of the roads was the worst he could remember. "The underlying problem is that the government has cut roads funding by 40 per cent over the past two years and the end result can only be one thing - worse roads. "This government fines motorists for not having roadworthy cars, but it is not providing car worthy roads."

"Because of the massive cost overruns on city projects, this government has slashed our roads maintenance funding in the country, so we suffer from Labor not being able to manage money or major projects," he said.

Mr Bull said the only way to rectify the problem was a massive increase in roads funding in this year's May Budget, however, with the State facing a $175 billion debt due to Labor's mismanagement, he was concerned the investment required would not be made but would continue to take up the cause.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com