Gippsland will benefit from a $288 million commitment to restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program to repair, upgrade and maintain local roads and bridges under The Nationals in government.
The investment will see each of Victoria’s 48 rural and regional councils receive $1.5 million every year for four years in untied funding, commencing in the 2027-28 State Budget.
The Nationals Leader and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said the funding would give local councils the certainty and flexibility to tackle the road problems that matter most in their communities, while putting downward pressure on council rates.
“This investment will help our local councils deliver much-needed repairs and maintenance across the Gippsland road network, including ageing bridges and other local road infrastructure.
“Anyone who drives around Gippsland knows the condition of our roads has deteriorated significantly.
“Whether it is potholes, crumbling edges, failed drainage or roads that are simply overdue for proper maintenance, our councils are dealing with an enormous backlog of work.
“An extra $1.5 million every year gives South Gippsland and Wellington councils a reliable pool of funding they can direct to the highest priorities in their communities.
“Most importantly, councils will be able to make those decisions themselves based on local needs, rather than having to wait for or compete in another State Government grants program.”
Mr O’Brien said the Country Roads and Bridges Program would restore a practical approach to funding local road infrastructure.
“This program was abolished by Labor in 2015 and since then councils have been left trying to keep up with growing road maintenance demands while competing for limited funding.
“The Nationals will restore the program and give councils the certainty they need to properly plan and deliver local road and bridge works.
“We are committed to fixing Victoria’s roads and giving regional councils the resources they need to keep their local roads safe, reliable and fit for purpose.”
The commitment follows The Nationals’ recent pledge to invest $5 billion to repair and rebuild Victoria’s roads, eliminate one million potholes and re-establish a proper, planned system of preventative road maintenance.
“Gippslanders have had enough of driving around on neglected roads and only The Nationals in government will make it a priority to get our roads to an acceptable standard,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Nationals will deliver a Fair Share for Gippslanders and safer roads and bridges that make life easier for families, farmers and businesses that rely on our roads every day.”
