$29m cut to road funding: Webster

MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has expressed disappointment at reduced roads funding for the electorate.

While the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program has been returned, the Federal Government has announced $27,081,447 in funding for Part A and Part B of the program’s Phase 4 across Mallee’s 12 local government areas.

But Dr Webster said $9.5 million of figure tied to roads only under the conditions of Part B of the program.

“This results in $29,459,701 less funding than provided by the Coalition across Phase 3 and the Phase 3 extension of the program,” she said.

“I’ve done a few thousand kilometres just in the last few weeks in Mallee and the roads are in dreadful condition, so while it is good to see Labor continuing this worthwhile program by providing some funding it is disappointing to see them reduce their investment nearly $30 million over all in Mallee,” Dr Webster said.

“Labor can dress it up by declaring this ‘extra’ funding for roads, however the numbers don’t lie, this is a significant reduction on the Coalition investment in this electorate.”

The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program was established by the Coalition Government in 2020 to support local communities during COVID-19.

It is designed to support councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects in their region, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for communities.

A total of $92,384,200 was delivered to Mallee prior to the 2022 Federal Election across Phases 1-3 and Phase 3 extension.