The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says The Nationals’ $5 billion better roads plan will restore Gippsland’s neglected road network and deliver the long-term maintenance our roads desperately need.
Speaking in Parliament recently, Mr O’Brien, who is also the Shadow Minister for Roads, highlighted that the poor condition of local roads remains one of the biggest issues raised by Gippslanders.
“Our $5 billion plan will eliminate one million potholes across Victoria while restoring the preventative maintenance program that’s been abandoned over the past decade,” Mr O’Brien said.
“That means getting back to properly resealing roads, repairing road shoulders, grading roadsides and clearing drains before roads fail.
“We will also establish Better Roads Victoria to ensure roads are built and maintained to the right engineering standards.”
Mr O’Brien said recent scenes on the Princes Highway, where motorists were left stranded after hitting potholes, highlighted the consequences of years of neglected road maintenance.
“You cannot neglect roads year after year and expect them to remain safe and reliable. Gippslanders have seen firsthand what happens when governments rely on patch-up jobs instead of proper preventative maintenance.”
Mr O’Brien said he had spent years raising concerns over the deteriorating condition of Gippsland’s roads with consecutive Labor Governments, warning that a lack of preventative maintenance would inevitably lead to more potholes and higher repair costs.
“Wherever I go across Gippsland, people tell me the same thing – our roads are in an appalling state.
“It’s not just potholes. It’s cracked road surfaces, broken shoulders, patch upon patch and roads that simply aren’t being properly maintained.
“After more than a decade of declining investment in preventative maintenance, the condition of our roads is terrible.”
Mr O’Brien said Gippsland communities deserve safe and reliable roads that are maintained before they reach the point of failure.
“The Nationals have listened to regional Victorians and developed a practical plan that focuses on fixing roads properly, not simply patching them after they fall apart.
“When The Nationals are elected in November, we’ll get back to doing the basics and deliver the safe, reliable roads Gippsland communities deserve.”
Caption: The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says The Nationals and Liberals $5 billion road maintenance plan will help address the appalling state of Gippsland roads.
