News

Roads | February 21, 2017

Labors incompetence delays Hwy duplication project

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy MP says the Andrews Labor Government’s incompetence and mismanagement has led to suspended Western Highway duplication works.

VicRoads confirmed today that works on the Western Highway were suspended between Buangor and Ararat until further notice, due to an administrative issue with the planning permission for the road works.

“Daniel Andrews is asleep at the wheel if an administrative error is all it takes to bring this project to a standstill,” Ms Kealy said.

“Labors incompetence has already seen 900 trees destroyed, instead of an approved 221, due to a surveying error and now we are seeing further delays due to expired planning permissions.

“Who knows how much these delays will cost, but it’s certain that it’s country Victorians who will pay the price,” she said.

The Western Highway is the busiest single-lane highway in Victoria and the principal interstate route between Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. More than 5,500 vehicles, including 1,500 trucks, use the road every day.

“The Western Highway is a key freight route supporting our local primary production industries,” Ms Kealy said.

“Duplication of the Western Highway is only one part of a much bigger plan that is needed to improve the appalling condition of roads in western Victoria and to return them to a safe standard.

“The Premier must take immediate action to address his Government’s incompetence in failing to manage the Western Highway duplication project and ensure a commitment to the projects urgent continuation.

“This is another example of project mismanagement by the city-centric Labor Government and their neglect of roads in western Victoria,” she said.