Mayor appointed to panel

Moyne Shire mayor Cr Karen Foster has been appointed to a state government panel which provides advice directly to the Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne.

Cr Foster is one of 13 mayors from across the state to be selected for the Mayoral Advisory Panel which met for the first time last Tuesday.

Cr Foster said it was an honour to be appointed to the panel and she looked forward to working closely with the Minister and learning from the other mayors selected.

“The role of the panel is to provide advice directly to the Minister on legislative, regulatory strategic and policy relating to local government,” she said.

“This will provide a unique chance to highlight the opportunities and the challenges the local government sector is facing directly with the Minister.

“I am thrilled to be one of 13 mayors selected for the panel and will use the opportunity to raise critical issues our community is facing, while driving solutions and building important relationships with the other mayors and the Minister.”

Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

The WarrnamboolWeekly is a member of the Regional Media Connect.

As we approach the Easter long weekend, with an expected influx of tourists driving to our beautiful regions, I want to remind Victorians to be mindful of the poor state of our road network.

Since 2020-21, the Andrews Labor Government has cut the annual road asset maintenance budget by over $230 million, and the impact is clear as day to all of us who live and work in regional Victoria.

Potholes, crumbling edges, and uneven surfaces are now commonplace, making travel unsafe for locals and tourists, but also add to the worries of the truck drivers who transport our essential supplies.

Putting up a rough surface sign and dropping speed limits isn’t good enough, yet all too often appears to be the solution from our city-centric Labor Government.

Tragically, we’ve already had 86 road fatalities in just the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 32 per cent on this time last year.

For the sake of those 86 people, their family and friends, and all regional road users, the Andrews Labor Government must take some responsibility and ensure that our roads are safe and wellmaintained.

In the upcoming May State Budget, The Nationals are calling on the Andrews Labor Government to immediately provide increased and ongoing funding for both state and locally managed roads.

The Nationals announced a policy ahead of the November state election of $1 billion dollars every year for 10 years and the return of the successful Country Roads and Bridges Program.

I challenge the Andrews Labor Government to match it.

Anything less will only lead to further deterioration of our road network and risk more Victorian lives.

In the meantime, whatever you are doing this long weekend – please be patient, drive safe and watch out for the potholes!

Peter Walsh MP Leader of The Nationals