ROADS in the Wimmera are among those to benefit from additional funding as part of the Federal government's Road Safety Program.
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Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the funding will improve road safety while also supporting the region's construction industry.
"This vital funding provides a boost to local jobs and the economy in an uncertain environment, but it also delivers life-saving upgrade works to keep people safe on our roads," Dr Webster said.
"A total of $10,224,000 will be shared across Mallee to fund new road safety upgrades and improvements to help reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries occurring on our roads.
"This includes... $5.64 million for widening of the Horsham Kalkee road, Dimboola-Rainbow road, the Nhill-Jeparit Road and the Murtoa-Glenorchy road.
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"The most important thing we can do for our community is ensure we all get home safely as currently around 1,200 people die and 40,000 are seriously injured on our roads each year."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said one life lost on Australian roads is one too many.
"That's why the Australian Government has committed $3 billion for the nationwide Road Safety Program," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"Our Government is committed to keeping our communities safe, while securing our economic recovery.
"The funding supports the fast roll-out of life-saving safety works on rural and regional roads, and is another example of the Australian Government working to reduce the number of Australians missing around the dinner table due to tragedies on our roads."
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The Federal government's Road Safety Program funding is subject to 'use it or lose it' provisions, which require states and territories to use allocated funds within a specific timeframe, or risk the funds being reallocated to projects in other jurisdictions.
The funding comes after roads in the Wimmera have come under scrutiny as potholes appeared on the Western Highway.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, said this investment in road upgrades would provide a boost to the economy while ensuring Australians can get home sooner and safer.
"Making our roads safer is a critical component of our work to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads and move towards achieving vision zero-that is zero deaths or serious injuries on our roads by 2050," Mr Buchholz said.
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