Flood funding flow needs speed: Mayor

FLOOD recovery funding for the Loddon Shire needed to increase from a trickle, Mayor Dan Straub said.

Cr Straub said he was anxious that the State Budget on May 23 would assist with accelerating the rebuild from October’s flood emergency.

“There’s been a trickle of some funding - three initial projects in Loddon - but only a small portion of the ask,” he said.

“Some municipalities have received larger sums but were less affected.”

“I am looking for a decent and fair allocation in the State Budget to help rebuild our roads and other essential infrastructure.”

Loddon Shire has announced $1.37 million of flood recovery road works, a fraction of the estimated $60 million damage across the shire last October.

Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad said the Government must prioritise regional road funding in the Budget.

“After years of underfunding, our regional and rural roads are in disrepair, and the Victorian floods last year made bad roads even worse,” she said.

“When it comes to road maintenance, we need to ensure the job is done properly the first time, instead of temporary Band-aid solutions that only last weeks or months until the next heavy rain causes more potholes and rough surfaces.”