Darren Chester MP – CHESTER SLAMS DELAYS ON MALLACOOTA-GENOA ROAD UPGRADE

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has accused the Victorian Labor
Government of “monumental incompetence” as the long-awaited Mallacoota-Genoa Road
upgrade remains stalled.
Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester criticised the lack of progress on the critical
road project, despite $10 million being committed by the former Federal Coalition
Government in May 2021.
“Just fix the bloody roads. That is the constant refrain I hear from people in my electorate
who are concerned about poor maintenance, potholes and damage to vehicles on roads
which have not been properly maintained by the Victorian State Government,” Mr Chester
said.
“If you want to understand what is wrong with the Victorian Government, look no further
than its handling of the Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade.”
Mr Chester said the project was identified by the local community as the highest priority
for recovery and resilience following the Black Summer bushfires.
“In May 2021, the former Coalition Government committed $10 million to improve safety
on the Mallacoota-Genoa Road, which is a critical link to one of the most important tourist
towns in Gippsland,” Mr Chester said.
“After the Black Summer bushfires, the road was closed because of fallen trees and debris,
and the resilience of the access road was the number one issue raised by the community
in the aftermath of the fires.
“The Victorian Government refused to provide a cent for the project, so we secured $10
million from the former Coalition Government to get the work started.
“Five years later, not a single cent has actually been spent on the road.”
Mr Chester said it was extraordinary the Victorian Government had failed to deliver the
upgrade, despite the Commonwealth funding being available.
“The Victorian Government owns the road and is responsible for its upgrade and
maintenance,” Mr Chester said