By Parker McKenzie
After funding to seal 187 kilometres of roads in the Yarra Ranges was “cut” in the 2022-23 budget, Casey MP Aaron Violi is calling on the Federal Government to honour a “bipartisan” agreement to seal roads.
Mr Violi said both his Liberal Party and the Labor Party agreed to fund the important infrastructure project when current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was Minister for Infrastructure in 2019.
“They’ve pulled this money and I know that the minister’s department has said that there are tough economic times and they’ve had to make choices but at the very same time, they’ve committed $2.2 billion to the suburban rail loop which hasn’t gone through the Infrastructure Australia process,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to Tammy Rose, the CEO of Yarra Ranges Council, and to Mayor Jim Child, and I know myself that this is a proven model that’s working.”
Funding of the road sealing was set to be funded through contributions from Yarra Ranges Council, the federal government and the community through a special charges scheme.
In a statement, Mayor Child said the council has been able to deliver a large number of critical road projects in the Yarra Ranges through the program since it was introduced in 2019.
“We had hoped this program would enable us to complete more eligible projects for the community,” he said.
“On top of record rains, unprecedented storms, material shortages and sky-rocketing costs, our roads have taken a literal beating and if the Government decides to cut the Roads for Community Program, then we may have little choice but to cancel already planned road sealing works.”
Yarra Ranges Council has previously said without funding from the federal government and the special charges scheme, it does not have the funding available to seal more than 700km of unmade roads. A special charges scheme is a funding model where “landowner contributions can be sought for infrastructure improvement projects such as roads, footpaths and drainage.”
Mr Violi said the average cost of the special charges scheme for residents will go from $7000 to over $14,000 without the contribution from the federal government.
“That’s a significant increase and a lot of people will struggle through the cost of living pressure,” he said.
“We also know that there’s significant bushfire risk in the Dandenongs and throughout the Yarra Valley, and people trying to get out on dangerous unsealed roads adds to their risk as well.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts previously told the Star Mail that some existing infrastructure projects had been reviewed, and in some cases, reduced or discontinued in the October budget.
“This includes the Sealing Roads projects in the Dandenong Ranges for the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire councils, where future projects have been discontinued,” they said.
“A number of projects have already been delivered and we will continue to work with both councils to deliver works that are currently under construction or have tender processes underway to ensure minimal disruption.”
They said current economic conditions were affecting the delivery of infrastructure investments and increasing the pressure on the Commonwealth budget.
Mr Violi said he encourages residents to write to him about their concerns so he can pass them on to Minister for Infrastructure Cathrine King.
“Some of these roads are really looking third world and I don’t say that lightly, and it is a lot to do with the storms, but it’s a lot to do with needing to continue to invest in sealing these dirt roads,” he said.
“This is an issue that is a high priority for me and I’ll be working in and fighting every day from now until the next election to make sure that we can secure this funding.”
