Despite no clear allocations of funds for the duplication of Western Highway Duplication from Ararat to Stawell, the Victorian Government have confirmed their commitment to the project.
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So far, the Victorian and Australian Governments have invested $672 million for the Western Highway Upgrade.
But works are on hold on the Western Highway between Buangor and Ararat pending the outcome of an ongoing proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria, following orders made by the Supreme Court in 2020.
Major Road Projects Victoria will undertake a new Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) with the current Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for the project.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said despite the delay, they are committed to completing the upgrade.
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"We're committed to delivering the duplication of the Western Highway - and we have duplicated 55 kilometres between Ballarat and Buangor," they said.
"We're working constructively with the Commonwealth on their election commitments."
Victorian shadow treasurer and member for Ripon Louise Staley urged the State Government to help with the project.
"The Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell is a busy and important route for Ripon road users, and the Government needs to treat it as a priority," she said.
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"The Andrews Labor Government is using the delays in the Buangor to Ararat section of the duplication process as an excuse to put funding for the Ararat to Stawell component on the back burner.
"The Federal Government is committed to duplication the Western Highway from Ararat to Stawell, the community supports the projects, and yet the Andrews Government continues to drag their heels.
"I call on the Andrews Government to listen to the community and get on with delivering this vital new infrastructure for the Ripon electorate."
Major Road Projects Victoria's 12-kilometre section of a Western Highway duplication project between Buangor and Ararat is on hold with Federal Court and Victorian Supreme Court hearings continuing to take place in 2021.
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