Stawell Freighters welcome the Coalition’s election promise to provide approximately $4 million to the Northern Grampians Shire for roads and bridges over a four year period, if elected in November.
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“There are roads in Stawell, where the funding is certainly needed,” Stawell Freighters spokesperson said.
State opposition leader Matthew Guy announced the promised funding today, which will provide $160 million for the Country Roads and Bridges Program.
The grants will help restore and rehabilitate council-maintained roads and bridges.
The program will give approximately $1 million in grants to Victoria’s 40 rural shires each year, over a four year period.
This will include the Northern Grampians Shire, as well as the shires of Buloke, Central Goldfields, Hepburn, Loddon, Ararat, and Pyrenees .
"Currently, Council manages and maintains a road network in excess of 3300 kilometres,” Northern Grampians Shire Council’s mayor Tony Driscoll said.
“Any increased level of funding would provide great assistance in assisting to maintain those roads, and Council would welcome the opportunity to work with any level of government offering a helping hand."
In 2017, 156 lives were lost on roads in rural Victoria, compared to 102 on roads in Melbourne.
MP Ripon Louise Staley said “it’s about allowing local roads to get the maintenance they need. It’s about safety.”
Ms Staley also said it is economical to maintain the roads.
“Our local roads and infrastructure are the critical link for parents taking the kids to school, for farmers getting product to market and for the jobs that keep our communities moving.”
The program was axed in 2015, when Labor was elected in 2014.