Gippsland › Latest news › Steph Ryan MP
Regional Victoria motorist and transport operators down continues to drag from Andrews Labor government drastic road funding cuts
Transport operators who have been involved in the industry for decades say road quality is dragging down retention of drivers who don't want to drive a road network that's"rough as guts".
Transport operators have exposed the toll of regional Victoria's crumbling road network, with reports today revealing rough roads are making it harder to hire truck drivers and sending the cost of vehicle repairs skyrocketing.Regional Victorian motorists are also demanding answers after media reports earlier this week exposed the Andrews Labor government's secret, systematic raid of a public Trust fund intended to be invested back into road safety.
Ms Ryan said this guarantee is a public commitment to prioritise proper road maintenance and the construction of new infrastructure assets in regional Victoria
Raided the trust account
Shadow Minister for Roads Steph Ryan said when the Better Roads Victoria trust account was established a third was required to be put back into regional Victoria, but murky reporting by the Andrews government left serious questions about where millions of dollars have ended up.
"Country roads are a mess of dangerous potholes and hazards, risking the lives of country Victorian drivers every single day. It's little wonder our roads are falling apart when Labor has raided the trust account set up to deliver better roads and stopped reporting key measures, leading to cuts in funding for road maintenance. Labor's legacy on regional roads is a hazardous mess of cuts to road safety and less funding for safe roads in regional Victoria." Ms Ryan said
Spending back into regional Victoria
Parliamentary hearings also recently exposed more drastic cuts in the 2022-23 Victorian Budget, taking the total Labor's cut from road asset management to $200 million in the past two years alone.
By contrast, an elected Liberals and Nationals government will put 25 percent of new infrastructure spending back into regional Victoria in our first term with the nation's first Regional Infrastructure Guarantee.
"The Labor government's 'Regional' Roads Victoria is nothing more than a branding exercise. The Andrews Labor government has gutted funding for rural roads and the construction and maintenance of roads outside of Melbourne. I'm taking a list of Victoria's worst roads to the Minister later this year. All Victorians are urged to contribute and have their voice heard by nominating the state's worst road at 'Vote for Victoria's worst roads' website" Ms Ryan said.
Pictures from Steph Ryan MP Facebook page.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Cann River fire damages three commercial properties and burns popular Squires Cafe to groundCommunity feedback wanted for the Wellington Shire Draft Budget 2024/25 by 29 May 2024
Appreciation to Bairnsdale volunteers for their support during Gippsland Rotary Centenary House fundraiser extended by Darren Chester
Baw Baw residents will get new purple-lidded glass bins collected separately every four weeks to better recycling process from October 2024
Exhibition by artist Matthew Bagley is captivating journey into ocean conservation at Berninneit Art Gallery
Outward Bound Australia praised by Darren Chester for their effort to revitalise Gippsland outdoor education
Penny Glover from Guthridge Primary School presented with John Printz OAM Award in front of a huge crowd at Sale Memorial Hall
Upgrades to Kalimna Hill trail in Lakes Entrance prioritises safety and accessibility for walker
Baw Baw Shire Council funds 28 community groups total of $105,303 from Community Grants Program
Free Masterclass sessions to promote safe and sustainable community events in Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale over May 2024