Safer roads in Bass under The Nationals’ $10 billion plan

BASS roads will be safer for all motorists if you vote for the Liberals and Nationals in the November 26 election after they announced $10 billion in funding over 10 years “to fix Victoria’s crumbling road system”.

The funding increase will be delivered through the annual road asset management budget, increasing spending from around $600 million to $1 billion annually.

Announcing the commitment on Wednesday, Shadow Minister for roads Danny O’Brien said after almost a decade of Andrews Labor Government neglect our roads have gone from bad to worse.

“The Andrews Labor Government has left Victoria’s road network crumbling, ignoring the genuine concern of road users across the state, in both the city and the country,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Labor cut the road maintenance budget by 10 per cent when it came to government and, on top of recent wet years, our roads have never recovered.

“This $10 billion investment will deliver longer-term contracts to promote innovation, give contractors certainty to invest in better equipment and allow for strategic maintenance planning.

“It means Victorians won’t have to put up with band-aid solutions that only last weeks or months until the next heavy rain.”

As part of this investment, there will also be a review of construction standards, increasing accountability of VicRoads and contractors and a reduction in red and green tape that often escalates construction costs.

There will also be an audit of all state-managed roads.

The Nationals Candidate for Bass, Brett Tessari, said The Nationals are committed to delivering better, safer roads by long-term, strategic planning across the road network.

“Driving around the electorate I’ve seen firsthand how dilapidated parts of our roads are, and it’s only getting worse,” Mr Tessari said.

“Roads such as the Bass Highway or the South Gippsland Highway.”

“Country Victorians rely on roads and this $10 billion means our local roads will be better maintained – better country roads save lives.”