The recently announced five-year funding boost for the Federal Roads to Recovery program is not being distributed fairly, according to a local MP.
While the Federal Labor Government is increasing the Roads to Recovery funding gradually from $500 million to $1 billion per year by 2027-28, Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster says councils in her electorate have missed out.
All councils are due to receive an increase in funding, but the Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura, Pyrenees, Swan Hill and Yarriambiack Shires will only receive a 46.7 per cent increase – compared to metropolitan councils, the Central Goldfields, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Loddon, Northern Grampians and West Wimmera Shires, who will receive a 76.9 per cent increase.
Dr Webster says that 6 of the 10 Victorian shires on reduced funding increases are within the Mallee electorate.
Meanwhile, Bendigo’s Federal MP, Lisa Chesters celebrates the funding boost for the region.
Dr Webster calls the federal government’s decision is insulting and exacerbates the awful disadvantage the Mallee region faces with crumbling roads and councils unable to shoulder the repair and upgrade burden.
The 2024 National State of the Assets Report shows $23.1 billion worth of local government roads are in poor condition, $18.7 billion have poor function and $17.0 billion have poor capacity.
Chesters asks local councils to get on with repairs.
Dr Webster says local councils will struggle with repairing damaged roads on reduced funding
“Local Government managed roads represent 77 per cent of the national road network by length and with around 75 per cent of local councils located in regional, rural and remote areas,” Dr Webster says.
“Federal Government funding such as the Roads to Recovery program is vital in keeping our nation’s road network safe and productive.”
Dr Webster says that local residents are undeserving of the extra burden of dangerous roads.
Dr Webster encourages local residents to nominate a local road in their shire in desperate need of funding through the National Road Survey launched last month and help send a message to fix local roads.
The survey will be open until 5pm, 30 August 2024.
