Not only has the 2019-20 State Budget been notable for delays and blow outs for existing road projects, it has also failed to deliver the funding promised for the construction of desperately needed new upgrades.
The Andrews Labor Government has provided only $400,000 ‘planning’ funding
towards the construction of each of the following critical road projects:
· A promised $30 million upgrade to South Road, Moorabbin
· A promised $38.3 million upgrade to Narre Warren North Road, Narre Warren North
· A promised $169 million upgrade to Hall Road, Skye
· A promised $54.3 million upgrade to Western Port Hwy, Skye
· A promised $318.3 million upgrade to Barwon Heads Road, Belmont
Despite
Victoria taking on record debt of $54.9 billion in the State Budget, Daniel
Andrews could not find the necessary funding required to ensure that the
construction of these important road upgrades proceeds.
The government has failed to provide an estimated completion date for each of
these projects, despite giving Victorians a firm commitment to deliver the
projects during the 2018 election campaign.
It is clear that these projects are not a priority of the Andrews Labor Government over the next four years.
Victoria is the highest taxing state in Australia and despite introducing 20 new taxes since first elected, Daniel Andrews now can’t find the money to deliver all of his promises.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Gordon Rich Phillips:
“Despite introducing more new taxes in this week’s budget that will slug Victorians with more than $800 million, the Andrews Labor Government has failed to provide funding for a range of key road projects promised at the election.
Providing just $400,000 for planning for each project is an insult to the intelligence of Victorians. These road projects will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build but Labor are only stumping up $400,000 for each in this budget.”
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Rural Roads, Roma Britnell:
“Our crumbling regional roads are in crisis and it’s costing precious lives. We don’t have any time to waste with the Andrews Labor Government not providing the funding needed to build these roads urgently.
Every month the Andrews Government wastes not fixing and building these roads will cost and damage more innocent lives.
It is unconscionable for the Andrews Labor Government to make these election promises and then not fund them.”
