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Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government

The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.

By news@gippsland - 7th September 2026 - Back to News

Gippsland will benefit from a $288 million commitment to restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program to repair, upgrade and maintain local roads and bridges under The Nationals in government. The investment will see each of Victoria's 48 rural and regional councils receive $1.5 million every year for four years in untied funding, commencing in the 2027-28 State Budget.

Danny O'Brien said restoring the program would provide councils certainty and resources to plan roadworks, address maintenance backlogs and improve local safety

Councils get road funding

The Nationals Leader and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said the funding would give local councils the certainty and flexibility to tackle the road problems that matter most in their communities, while putting downward pressure on council rates. "This investment will help our local councils deliver much-needed repairs and maintenance across the Gippsland road network, including ageing bridges and other local road infrastructure."

"Anyone who drives around Gippsland knows the condition of our roads has deteriorated significantly. Whether it is potholes, crumbling edges, failed drainage or roads that are simply overdue for proper maintenance, our councils are dealing with an enormous backlog of work."

"An extra $1.5 million every year gives South Gippsland and Wellington councils a reliable pool of funding they can direct to the highest priorities in their communities. Most importantly, councils will be able to make those decisions themselves based on local needs, rather than having to wait for or compete in another state government grants program," he said.

Nationals restore road program

Mr O'Brien said the Country Roads and Bridges Program would restore a practical approach to funding local road infrastructure. "This program was abolished by Labor in 2015 and since then councils have been left trying to keep up with growing road maintenance demands while competing for limited funding.

"The Nationals will restore the program and give councils the certainty they need to properly plan and deliver local road and bridge works. We are committed to fixing Victoria's roads and giving regional councils the resources they need to keep their local roads safe, reliable and fit for purpose," Mr O'Brien said.

Roads get major investment

The commitment follows The Nationals' recent pledge to invest $5 billion to repair and rebuild Victoria's roads, eliminate one million potholes and re-establish a proper, planned system of preventative road maintenance.

"Gippslanders have had enough of driving around on neglected roads and only The Nationals in government will make it a priority to get our roads to an acceptable standard. The Nationals will deliver a Fair Share for Gippslanders and safer roads and bridges that make life easier for families, farmers and businesses that rely on our roads every day," Mr O'Brien said.

Pictures from David Littleproud MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
  The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets.
• Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
  Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.
• Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.
• Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
  Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care.
• 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.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  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.
• Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere.
• Tarwin River partnership launches six projects for catchment restoration and community stewardship across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA has launched Together for the Tarwin, funding six projects over 18 months to restore wetlands, waterways and habitats while strengthening community stewardship across the Tarwin catchment.
• New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
  Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
• 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.
• Metung mother Lily Martyn establishes foundation supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families across Gippsland
  Metung mother Lily Martyn has launched Do It For Foundation Gippsland, supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families. The foundation has connected 95 East Gippsland families seeking support, understanding and practical solutions.
• Latrobe City Council schedules 40 kilometres of road upgrades across municipality
  Latrobe City Council will resurface 40 kilometres of local roads during 2026/27, including resealing and asphalt works across six communities to improve safety, extend road life and prevent potholes.
• Latrobe Regional Gallery unveils spring exhibitions celebrating place, culture, community, history and the natural world
  Latrobe Regional Gallery spring program features five exhibitions exploring Gippsland places, community, culture, history and nature, alongside Japanese traditions and contemporary artistic responses.
• Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
  Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing.