WIMMERA mayors have backed the Victorian Coalition’s election promise to extend funding to country roads and bridges, but argue more money is needed for shires’ ailing C-class roads.
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On Wednesday, the government announced if elected it would continue the program that would see Wimmera councils receive $1 million a year for the next four years.
West Wimmera Mayor Ron Hawkins said the funding commitment was a relief.
“It has been built into budgets for the past four years. We’re relieved it’s continued as it’s an integral part of the work in the shire,” he said.
Cr Hawkins said the money was welcome and he hoped the government would increase funding for C-class roads.
He said West Wimmera residents had reported being too scared to travel on the single carriageway Nhill-Harrow Road, given they had to share it with B-double trucks.
“We’ve got reports where the community is dodging roads on safety grounds,” he said.
“That seems an indictment really that we’ve got to come to grips with the funding for C-class roads.”
C-class roads are a State Government funding responsibility and are not covered by other council grants.
Northern Grampians Mayor Kevin Erwin welcomed the promised extension of the program.
“It is a vital program and I think everybody realises there’s a lot of effort on roads,” he said.
“We still require additional funding for C-class roads.”
He said it was an especially important program for Northern Grampians.
“Given that in the Northern Grampians there are 560 bridges and major culverts, these programs are absolutely essential because quite a few of these bridges are getting to 50 years old,” Cr Erwin said.
Horsham Mayor David Grimble said he was delighted the program would continue.
“It certainly provides big financial assistance to local government very broadly to get that $1-million over four years,” he said.
Earlier in the year, Labor announced it would commit $1 billion to regional roads, but is yet to release further details about where the money would be spent.
Cr Erwin and Cr Hawkins urged Labor to match the Coalition’s commitment to country roads and bridges.
Shadow Treasurer Tim Pallas said some regional road promises would be made before the election.
“We’ll announce a number of projects that will be paid for from the fund,” he said.
“We’re very anxious to make sure the communities get a say about how you best improve arterial roads.”
Shadow Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said Labor would release further policy details on Sunday.
The Coalition has also pledged to give Regional Councils Victoria $3 million over four year years if re-elected.
