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Gippsland roads deteriorate while skilled workers are sent to Queensland, sparking anger from local road users

Danny O'Brien has again called on the Education Minister to fund the rebuild of the outdated Mirboo North stadium, highlighting its importance for both schools and the local community.

By news@gippsland - 17th November 2024 - Back to News

Reports that Victorian road workers have been sent to Queensland due to a lack of work while Gippsland roads are left to crumble has been met with anger by local road users. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O'Brien said it was shocking to learn that our skilled road workforce was heading interstate while our local roads are in a state of disrepair.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O'Brien, says it's criminal road workers are having to travel interstate when our own roads are in dire need of works

Gippsland roads neglected

Mr O'Brien said, "Our Gippsland roads are in dire need of maintenance so it was infuriating to hear that a contractor's crew of 10 workers from Ballarat had to be sent over 2,000 kilometres to Far North Queensland for six weeks because there is no work for them in Victoria."

"I took the opportunity to question Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, in Parliament as to why this would occur when our roads need work. Bizarrely the Minister claimed there are 'contractors out across the network' including the South Gippsland Highway. Gippslanders will be surprised to hear the Minister thinks everything is going swimmingly on our roads," said Mr O'Brien.

Road repair crisis

Mr O'Brien said Gippsland roads continue to deteriorate after Labor's maintenance budget cuts. "Anyone who drives the South Gippsland Highway, as just one example, will be able to tell you that these works are not taking place. Meanwhile contractors are laying off road workers or sending them interstate due to a lack of available projects."

The Department of Transport's latest annual report reveals road repairs in Victoria plummeted by a staggering 95 per cent over the past year, while not a single new road resurfacing contract has been issued since the so-called blitz began.

"It's time for the Allan Labor government to end the excuses, cut the spin, bring our workers home, and repair the roads that are essential to our safety and daily lives. Labor can't manage money, can't manage our roads and Victorians are paying the price," said Mr O'Brien.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com