Wednesday, 23 July, 2008

Media release:
From the Minister for Roads and Ports

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas has announced more than $7 million in Brumby Government funding for local roads across regional Victoria.

The funding is part of two Brumby Government programs - the Rural Local Timber Roads and the State Impacted Local Roads programs, which provides financial support for councils to maintain local roads.

Mr Pallas said the Brumby Government was taking action to improve the road network in communities across Victoria and the Rural Local Timber Roads program helps councils maintain vital timber roads.

"Modern and improved transport infrastructure is vital to link our people, our communities and our businesses, and to enhance road safety for all Victorians.

"Providing smoother and safer roads contributes to economic development, reduces freight operating costs and ensures our roads continue to service the community well into the future.

Under the Rural Local Timber Roads program, 17 roads will be upgraded at a cost of more than $5.2 million:

• Road widening at Clarkeville Road, Bendoc - $65,000;
• Road widening at Lower Bendoc Road, Bendoc - $84,000;
• Pavement rehabilitation at Roberts Road, Mack’s Creek - $283,000;
• Safety improvements at Yarrum-Morewell Road, Madalya - $136,000;
• Pavement rehabilitation at Carrols Road, Mudgegonga - $74,000;
• Pavement rehabilitation at Spring Creek Road, Tatong - $84,000;
• Pavement rehabilitation at Lake Buffalo Carboor Road, Carboor Upper - $150,000;
• Road widening at Mt Margaret Road, Buxton - $254,000;
• Road widening at North Mountain Road, Heathcote Junction – $642,000 (08/09: $322,000);
• Pavement rehabilitation at Ennis Road, South of Tallarook - $377,000;
• Road widening at Ballan-Egerton Road, East of Condie Road – $469,000 (08-09: $234,000)
• Road widening at Dorodong Road, Dergholm – $425,000 (08/09:$349,000);
• Pavement rehabilitation at Egerton-Bungeeltap Road, starting at Egerton-Ballark Road intersection - $584,000;
• Pavement rehabilitation at Chrome Road, Branxholme - $160,000;
• Road widening at Binns Road, Beach Forest – $578,000 (08/09: $289,000);
• Road widening at Dartmoor Casterton Road, Killara – $395,000 (08/09: $342,000); and
• Bridge Replacement at Binns Road, Beech Forest - $468,000.

Mr Pallas also announced a further $2.4 million for State Impacted Local Roads under the 2008-09 budget.

"Under the State Impacted Local Roads initiative, seven local councils will be provided $2.4 million to improve conditions of local roads," Mr Pallas said.
"The Brumby Government is committed to providing regional Victoria with improved transport links to enhance tourism, drive efficient freight operations and deliver a better transport system for communities across the state."

Works under the State Impacted Local Roads program include:

• To support the new school development in Echuca, there will be new intersection signals at Butcher Street, Echuca – $541,000 (08/09: $500,000)
  
  
• To support the gas industry in South Western Victoria, there will be:
  -  Road widening at Cooriemungle Road, Cooriemungle – $188,000 (08/09: $171,000)
  -  Road widening at Melrose Road, Cooriemungle – $156,000 (08/09: $141,000)
  -  Road widening at Timboon – Peterborough Road, Heytesbury Lower – $364,000 (08/09: $328,000)
  
  
• Facilitating the development of the wind-farm at Waubra there will be pavement rehabilitation at Haddon-Windermere Road, Weighbridge Road and Windermere-Learmonth Road and Ballarat-Carngham Rd (Windemere) to Sunraysia highway, Learmonth - $164,000
  
  
• Road widening to improve conditions for freight thoroughfare at High Street, Seymour – $998,000 (08/09: $150,000)

Works under both programs are expected to start by the end of the year.