The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, says an elected Liberals and Nationals’ Government will deliver a major boost to Victoria’s road network, investing $5 billion over four years to fix potholes, improve road maintenance and make regional roads safer.
Ms Rendell said East Gippsland motorists are financially contributing to the road network through paying vehicle registration and fuel excise yet are receiving a poorer level of service as road conditions worsen year after year.
“Our roads have been neglected for far too long with deep potholes, crumbling road edges, blocked drains and overgrown roadsides becoming the norm rather than the exception,” Ms Rendell said.
“This is what happens when you cut funding, which is what Labor has done year after year – there can be no other outcome.
“Labor has now announced just $1 billion in funding for one year after 12 years of cuts. It is not enough, it needs a longer commitment and that is what we will deliver.
“A Coalition Government will invest $5 billion in road maintenance over four years – a 25 per cent increase on current spending – with the aim of repairing one million potholes and restoring a proper preventative road maintenance program.”
Ms Rendell said the Coalition would also rebuild the road engineering expertise lost when Labor abolished VicRoads and Regional Roads Victoria by re-establishing Better Roads Victoria as a dedicated division within the Department of Transport and Planning.
“Road maintenance shouldn’t simply be about patching potholes after they appear. We need to get back to maintaining our roads properly before they deteriorate.”
The plan also includes increased roadside maintenance, including grass slashing, drain clearing and graffiti removal, together with a review of maintenance contracts to improve accountability and ensure taxpayers receive better value for money.
Ms Rendell said funding would be made possible by pausing Labor’s costly Suburban Rail Loop and cutting corruption, reducing the public service and halting the massive cost overruns on major projects.
“Instead of continuing to pour billions into one Melbourne mega-project, a Coalition Government will redirect funding into the infrastructure Victorians use every day, including roads, hospitals and rail upgrades across regional Victoria.
“For East Gippsland, that means safer roads, lower vehicle repair bills, stronger freight routes and better outcomes for every family, business and visitor who relies on our road network,” she said.
Caption: The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, says an elected Liberals and Nationals’ Government will invest $5 billion to fix potholes and improve road maintenance across Victoria.
