By Renee Wood
Tensions are ramping up ahead of the state election with roads a key election issue for both parties.
On Wednesday 5 October, the state opposition made a $10 billion election pledge for Victorian road maintenance if elected into power in November.
The Liberals and Nationals have committed to a $10 billion package for maintenance which will be stretched over 10 years and has plans to conduct an audit of all state-managed roads within six months of forming government.
The opposition is accusing the government of leaving regional roads behind while funding city infrastructure and taking away $215 million over the past two budgets from road maintenance.
Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said the state of roads such as the Warburton, Melba and Maroondah Highways, are a major issue for her electorate.
“The roads across the electorate are in a terrible condition, costing drivers thousands of dollars in tyre and car repairs and posing safety risks to drivers,” Ms McLeish said.
Ms McLeish said the Labor Government has only been providing ‘band aid fixes to potholes’ and drops the speed limits to deal with crumbling roads.
“This is simply not good enough and people are tired of it.
“Our roads need to be repaired properly to ensure they are able to carry the vast variety of vehicles and most importantly, to ensure drivers safety. That’s what the Liberals and Nationals will deliver.”
Liberals leader Matthew Guy said the government spent $28 billion on city infrastructure cost blow outs.
“The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will deliver better roads through billions of dollars in investment to ensure everyone can get to work and crucial appointments, safely and on time,” Mr Guy said.
The government has hit back saying the Liberals were the ones who cut millions from road maintenance and sacked workers when they were last in power.
“You can’t trust Matthew Guy’s Liberals when it comes to our roads – the last time they had the chance, they cut $100 million from road maintenance, and sacked 500 VicRoads workers,” Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll.
“Matthew Guy’s Liberals want to “audit” the Big Build – Liberal code for cutting projects and sacking workers.”
Labor claims it has spent $813 million per year on average over the past four years, since 2018, has invested more than $4 billion into renewing and maintaining Victoria’s roads since 2018 and has rebuilt or resurfaced more than 10,000 kilometres of regional roads and nearly 2,000 kilometres of metropolitan roads.
The State Government also recently announced a $780 million investment to repair and resurface more than 1500km of roads, with the Warburton and Melba Highways set for repairs.
More than 10 kilometres of the Melba Highway will undergo rehabilitation and resurfacing works in multiple locations, while sections of the Warburton Highway in Wandin North and Seville will undergo significant resurfacing works.
