Council
30 May, 2024
Budget fails regional roads, McCracken says
MEMBER for Western Victoria Joe McCracken has joined the voices condemning the Victorian Budget as having failed to provide adequate funding for regional roads.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr McCracken asked Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne through a constituency question why there had been no significant road funding announcements delivered in the Budget.
“I look at the roads in my electorate, particularly the highways – the Princes Highway, the Western Highway, the Pyrenees Highway, the Midland Highway and even the Henty Highway – but no, none of them get any significant work,” he said.
“All this budget seems to be framed about is Melbourne, if there is anything in it at all.
“I want to quote the chair of Rural Councils Victoria, Mary-Ann Brown – who has actually got an idea and who is in my electorate.
“She said, “It is becoming increasingly apparent the current way we are funding roads, particularly in rural and regional areas, no longer works”.
“Now, that is from a peak body that represents rural areas. Why won’t you guys listen and fund roads properly?”