Council
3 March, 2024
Council push for road funds
Moyne Shire Council will seek the support of other Victorian councils to advocate for a percentage of Department of Transport budgets to be dedicated to regional roads.
Council will seek support for a motion it will move at the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council on May 17.
Mayor Cr Ian Smith said the condition of roads was the number one issue the community raised.
“Having minimum budget percentages and staffing levels for regional roads legislated would mean regional roads would get their fair share and would recognise how critical regional areas were to the state’s productivity and economy,” Cr Smith said.
“We see significant improvement works happening in Melbourne and other areas while we are driving on state-controlled roads that are just not up to scratch, it feels like we are missing out and all funding is being directed to the city.
“The Heywood-Woolsthorpe Road is a key example – put simply it’s neglected and it’s dangerous for all users – but is a key freight route to the Port of Portland, critical to transport products which help boost the state’s economy.”
Cr Smith said motorists across the district can’t help but feel they’d been forgotten when seeing huge new tunnels aimed at improving connections to the Port of Melbourne, but key freight routes to our ports are falling apart.
“If we can put a united front to the government, it will show them we are serious about seeing significant improvements to the state-controlled road network,” Cr Smith said.
“Ensuring minimum budget allocations is a simple way to make a significant difference and this is another phase of Moyne’s strong advocacy for road improvements – which has previously involved meetings with the Minister and key Department staff.
“We had the Minister visit last year and I think she saw firsthand there were (and still are) serious issues with our roads.”
