MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says she is “incensed” that Gannawarra and Swan Hill council areas have lower Roads to Recovery funding increases compared to other areas.
While the Federal Government is increasing the Roads to Recovery funding gradually from $500 million to $1 billion per year by 2027-28, Dr Webster said the five-year funding allocation was not distributed fairly.
She said Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura, Pyrenees, Swan Hill and Yarriambiack shires will receive a “mere” 46.7 per cent increase, compared to 76.9 per cent for metropolitan councils and the Central Goldfields, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Loddon, Northern Grampians and West Wimmera shires.
“The government’s decision is insulting and exacerbates the awful disadvantage the Mallee region faces with crumbling roads, and councils unable to shoulder the repair and upgrade burden,” Dr Webster said.
Swan Hill Council was set to receive a $4 million increase to $12 million in the 2024-2029, Gannawarra $3.6 million increase to $11.5 million, Buloke $4.4 million to $14 million and Mildura $7.5 million to $23.8 million.
Dr Webster said the 2024 National State of the Assets Report showed $23.1 billion worth of local government roads were in poor condition, $18.7 billion had poor function and $17 billion had poor capacity.
“Council-managed roads represent 77 per cent of the national road network by length and with around 75 per cent of local councils located in regional, rural and remote areas,” she said.
“Federal Government funding such as the Roads to Recovery program is vital in keeping our nation’s road network safe and productive.”
Roads to Recovery is delivered in five-year funding periods, with the minister making funding determinations itemising the five-year allocations to each local government area.
Swan Hill Council was less damning on the determinations than Dr Webster, stating it was “extremely appreciative of the roads to recovery increase”.
Director of infrastructure and acting chief executive Leah Johnston said any increase helped support road infrastructure, “and will go a long way”.
“It is one of our main issues raised by our community, and we will continue to work tirelessly to advocate for safer and smoother roads,” she told The Guardian.
“All LGAs find themselves facing a huge funding gap when it comes to the repair and maintenance of roads, especially rural and remote councils.
“Equitable distribution across local government is required to ensure that all roads are maintained for community safety.”
Dr Webster said residents could nominate a local road in their shire in desperate need of funding through the National Road Survey launched last month.
Connect online at www.research.net/r/2HRHBV9. The survey is open until 5pm on Friday, August 30.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King was contacted for comment.
