The VFF says the poor state of Victoria’s roads is costing tens of millions of dollars in lost productivity.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Victorian Farmers Federation says regional Victoria has been abandoned in the wake of the Victorian and federal governments’ city-centric infrastructure cash splash.
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VFF president Brett Hosking said decision makers were playing politics and prioritising votes ahead of fixing genuine issues across Victoria.
“It’s a genuine slap in the face for those living outside of Melbourne,” Mr Hosking said.
“Both the Commonwealth and Victorian governments are proving they have no interest in taking action to fix roads outside of marginal electorates.”
Mr Hosking said the February funding announcement was billed as ‘Victoria’s fair share’.
“It should be rebranded as ‘Melbourne’s fair share’, as there is little to smile about from a regional Victorian’s perspective,” he said.
“Country roads are crumbling and it’s not only costing tens of millions in lost productivity, tragically people are paying for it with their lives.
“The $20 million announced for a business case into improving high productivity freight vehicle access is another case of government spending money not to make decisions or pick up a shovel.”
“If they just talk to farmers we would tell them exactly the bridges that need to be upgraded to allow for these trucks to get rolling.
“I doubt the bridges at places like Dimboola, Bridgewater and Numurkah will be on the Prime Minister’s list of visits during the election campaign.”
Roads across the state are crumbling, says the VFF.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Mr Hosking said there was a genuine sense from those outside of Melbourne being treated as second-class citizens when it comes to receiving a fair slice of funding.
“For over a decade now, regional Victoria has been neglected and we won’t accept it any longer.
“It’s not a matter of crying poor, just a matter of fairness and we’re clearly getting the rough end of the stick.”
“Regional Victoria’s population is roughly on par with a city the size of Adelaide and we are Australia’s agriculture economic powerhouse.
“We can’t grow without investment and we’re not getting it.”
In January, Mr Hosking called on all levels of government to urgently increase funding for regional roads in the wake of a soaring regional road toll, up 156 per cent compared to the same time last year.
He said the state of regional roads was a major contributing factor to the toll.
“The tragic reality is you’re more than three times likely to lose your life when driving on country roads when compared to driving in the city.
“Enough is enough. Genuine questions must be asked about as to what contributing factors are behind the accidents and there’s no doubt the state of country roads is a huge factor.
“Over the past year, government spending on resurfacing and resealing roads has dropped by a whopping 81 per cent. That only condemns our roads to ruin and sadly that’s now a reality.
“Drivers are expected to maintain roadworthy cars. It’s time for cars to drive car-worthy roads to ensure drivers aren’t playing a daily game of roads roulette.
“With a federal election looming, there’s no better time for our leaders to commit to genuinely fixing this mess.”
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