By Parker McKenzie
The Liberal Party has committed $14.8 million towards Yarra Ranges Council’s Roads for Agribusiness initiative if re-elected on May 21.
Liberal Candidate for Casey Aaron Violi and Minister for Infrastructure Paul Fletcher announced the funding for the sealing of nine roads across the municipality in Seville on April 6.
Mr Fletcher said Mr Violi had worked closely with the council to choose the roads with the most need for funding.
“A key theme here is productivity, so road upgrades to support the productivity of farms and other agricultural enterprises here in the Yarra Valley, but also of course tourism,” he said.
“Aaron’s worked really hard. He’s consulted very closely with the council, with other stakeholders. Most importantly he’s made the case in Canberra.”
The nine roads are McMeikans Road in Yering, Alex Thompson Drive and Charteris Road, Blacks Road in Wandin East, Victoria Road in Seville, Spring Lane in Gruyere, McNamara’s Road in Millgrove, McCarthy Road in Olinda, Douthie Road in Seville East and Linwood Road in Seville.
Mr Violi said he will work hard to deliver priority road upgrades across Casey.
“The Liberal Government is delivering for Casey, whether it’s upgrades to local roads and infrastructure, building new telecommunications towers to eliminate blackspots or investing in our local sporting clubs,” he said.
“My local plan for Casey is about making our communities a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Yarra Ranges Council said the investment would create 48 jobs and leverage a further $33 million in economic activity.
Mayor Jim Child said the announcement was a significant investment in the region.
“It runs in parallel with our roads to community initiative and we know how well that’s been delivered. I think the good story out of this is that candidates are taking notice that Yara Ranges Council can deliver on pledges that they put forward because we’ve done the hard yards,” he said.
“We’ve done the consultation with the community. We’ve done the costing and we can deliver. It’s fantastic to have a minister coming up today and supporting what we can deliver.”
Yarra Ranges Council has asked candidates in the Casey electorate to support their $150 million Roads for Agribusiness project, which construct 150 kilometres of sealed roads throughout the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King was contacted for comment.
