THE people of Swan Hill have waited long enough – almost 50 years.
At the end of this month, Labor’s razor gang will advise the Infrastructure Minister whether the Swan Hill bridge and other Mallee projects get the chop.
It is time the minister, Catherine King, gave the people of the region some clarity.
In 2019, the Coalition committed $60 million for the long-awaited bridge replacement but it has been held up by State Government bureaucracy. The Nationals have been working closely with the community in recent years to settle the crossing alignment and heritage issues.
But now, because it isn’t a $200 billion Melbourne rail loop or another pet project for the Labor Government, it is under review and in danger of being scrapped.
Swan Hill Rural City Council is calling on the community to show its support using a link on its Facebook page and website.
We are fighting for the community – this is your chance to add your voice to that fight.
Meanwhile, the cost of maintaining the 127-year-old bridge is about $1.5 million per year.
The Federal Government’s costly delay – and potential cancellation of the project – is happening while Labor have been sweetening the deal for electorates they hold or hope to hold.
It was revealed this week the Auditor-General may review round 6 of the Mobile Black Spot Program and the Community Batteries Program – both Labor pre-election commitments.
The batteries program favoured marginal seats heavily, while the mobile blackspot funding went to mostly Labor-held seats. Yet the Mallee electorate has the largest 4G coverage gaps in Victoria.
So, the next time you’d like power bill relief, better roads or can’t get phone service, perhaps – if you have signal – give the Prime Minister’s office a call.
