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Roads Environment and Water | September 21, 2016

Kealy calls for Council roads funding post floods

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP is calling on the Andrews Labor Government to immediately provide Councils with funding to repair local roads damaged by flood and heavy rainfall.

“The Andrews Labor Government must provide immediate and adequate funding to Councils following the devastating impact heavy rains and floods have had on our local roads,” Ms Kealy said.

"Our local Councils do not have the budget to undertake the extensive road repair works needed across the Lowan electorate. Given the majority of Councils don't insure their road assets they desperately need State Government support to give local people access to safe roads as soon as possible.

“Country Councils are already struggling to maintain their extensive road networks with limited revenue, especially since the Andrews Labor Government have scrapped The Nationals highly successful $160 million Country Roads and Bridges program.

"Labor must support people living in regions hit by floods, and can best do this by assisting Councils to repair all assets lost to flood damage, especially our roads,” she said.

Yesterday a 50-year lease of the Port of Melbourne was announced which secures $9.7 billion for Victoria.

“The National Party had a great win yesterday for regional Victoria by acquiring 10% of the sale price for the Port of Melbourne for investment in regional transport infrastructure,” Ms Kealy said.

“Thanks to The Nationals, we now have $970 million to spend in regional Victoria and the Melbourne Labor Government has no excuse not to fix our crumbling country roads.

“Our roads are in a terrible state following the floods, and I remind everyone to remain vigilant, slow down and please take extra care when travelling on our county roads,” she said.