REGIONAL roads, some of which haven’t been maintained since the Great Depression, have the opportunity to be upgraded under the Federal Government’s new $150 million Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program.
Councils will be offered between 80 per cent and 100 per cent of funding to upgrade unsealed roads – many of which haven’t been upgraded for close to a century.
The funding will include resurfacing, removing dangerous corners and managing vegetation.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the funding would make a measurable difference for people throughout Mallee as safety had been an ongoing concern.
“The Liberal-National Government recognises local government often bears the brunt of the significant costs of upgrading rural and regional roads,” Dr Webster said.
“We are stepping in to back councils to be able to undertake these crucial works.
“The government will partner with local government to deliver this funding and upgrade many of our neglected roads.
“Even the most remote people in our community should be able to easily and safely access their local schools, shops, places of work and places of worship.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said regional towns were the lifeblood of the nation, and every Australian deserved safe and efficient roads regardless of where they lived.
“This is not about sealing roads … it is about making them safer,” Mr Joyce said.
“It is about putting down gravel to stop parents getting bogged in the rain when they drive their kids to school.
“It is about removing dangerous corners.
“Many of these remote roads haven’t been touched since the Great Depression.”
