A state-wide poll to identify Victoria’s worst roads has Traralgon Maffra Road currently sitting in the top five.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said many Gippsland residents are frustrated and angry at the unacceptable standard of roads maintenance and repairs.
“Continued cuts to roads maintenance in Victoria have resulted in our roads being littered with rough potholes, patch jobs and crumbling road shoulders, causing serious safety hazards.
“Ongoing complaints about the condition and safety of regional arterial roads which link our country communities continue to come through my office.
“Labor slashing a further $200 million from the roads maintenance budget in the past two years will not improve safety, it actually puts lives at risk and damages vehicles.
“Country people pay the same taxes as Melburnians, but we are not receiving the same level of investment under city centric Daniel Andrews.”
The latest road trauma statistics show a 30 per cent increase in road deaths in the past 12 months for rural Victoria, while in contrast Melbourne has experienced a two per cent decrease in road deaths.
Ms Bath said residents are justifiably seeking answers about the ongoing deterioration of regional roads across Gippsland.
“Locals are tired of hearing about the billions being wasted on Melbourne infrastructure projects – country people deserve their fair share of roads maintenance funding.
“I have lost count on the number of times constituents contact my office concerned with the deplorable state of roads such as, Traralgon Maffra Road, Glengarry North Road, Brown Coal mine Road and Hazelwood Road.
“Residents living in in the towns of Glengarry, Toongabbie, Tyers, Yallourn North, Hazelwood North and Churchill are travelling on some of the worst roads in regional Victoria.
“Last week in state parliament I listed more of our Gippsland roads for the Minister’s attention, so Labor has no excuses not to address their shoddy maintenance.
“Last year regional Victoria received only 13 percent of the infrastructure spend in Victoria despite 25 percent of the state’s population living outside of Melbourne.
“Country lives matter and Labor’s ongoing neglect of our regional roads is unacceptable.
“A change of government in November will deliver more funds for road maintenance along with a 25 per cent Regional Infrastructure Guarantee – but Victorian lives can’t afford to wait that long.
“I’m encouraging locals to keep voting for the worst roads in the state.”
To submit a road visit www.VicsWorstRoad.vote
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