Highways hope
Action needed: Bass MLA Ken Smith inspects a pothole on a dangerous bend on the Bass Highway, near Kilcunda.
By Brad Lester
THE Victorian Opposition has pledged to fix South Gippsland roads if it wins the state election in November.
A Coalition Government would build overtaking lanes on the Strzelecki Highway and repair pothole riddled roads, including the South Gippsland Highway, particularly between Leongatha and Yarram.
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan said the South Gippsland Highway would be fixed in stages due to the expense of such works.
The Gippsland South MLA promised overtaking lanes would be built between Leongatha and the Latrobe Valley, and also south of Leongatha.
“I spoken to people in the trucking industry and the section of the highway from Leongatha to Yarram is the worst they encounter,” he said.
“In particular, we will be looking at Black Spur and up the hill heading towards Foster. There also needs to be work between Koonwarra and Meeniyan, and further east in the area going towards Hedley, there are some bad sections as well.
“It’s a similar picture up in Mirboo North. The way they cope without having passing lanes; it’s a miracle they do not have more accidents.”
The State Government this week said more funding for rural roads was unlikely.
A spokesman for Roads Minister, Tim Pallas, said the Labor Government was unable to promise more roads money to South Gippsland and Bass Coast shire councils, as such funding was based around projects.
“There is no set amount given to councils year by year. It’s project by project. Unless we work with councils on projects, it’s a federal responsibility,” he said.
Mr Ryan said quality roads were essential to country businesses and residents, and the main issues were maintenance and reconstruction.
“We have significant problems in the South Gippsland area and these have become apparent after 10 years of drought,” he said.
Even around Fish Creek and Yanakie, Mr Ryan has been alerted to poor roads, with milk tankers dropping off narrow bitumen roads.
Mr Pallas’ spokesman said VicRoads is working to repair damage as it occurs as part of its maintenance responsibilities.
“The Minister understands the importance of the South Gippsland Highway to local communities and business, which is why VicRoads provides regular maintenance and why the government is investing in vital upgrades along this road,” he said.
“Recent significant rain after a long dry spell has taken its toll on Victorian roads, causing many potholes and other road surface damage problems.
“We are aware of the community’s concern and have crews out repairing damage as quickly as possible within available resources.”
The State Government has committed more than $7 million for safety upgrades on the South Gippsland Highway between Bena and Meeniyan.
“More than $18.5 million has been allocated or spent on road safety upgrades on the South Gippsland and Strzelecki Highways around the Leongatha and Korumburra regions in the past five years,” the spokesman said.
Bass MLA Ken Smith said the South Gippsland Highway was one of many roads falling apart under the weight of trucks carrying supplies to the Wonthaggi desalination plant and pipeline.
“What were once small country roads are now potholed piles of rubble, and hundreds of massive trucks are speeding along these roads every day, doing untold damage and placing the drivers and local residents at risk,” he said.
“I want to know who is going to pay for the damage that has been caused because of this government’s disgusting haste to get the project finished. Millions of dollars are still going to be needed to be spent to return some of these roads and highways to some normality.”
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