A $71.4 million investment for roads infrastructure and bus improvements to better connect people living in regional and rural Victoria is a major part of the Victorian Government’s $631 million Ready For Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Regional and Rural Victoria.
Premier John Brumby said better road infrastructure was an vital part of building a more prosperous and sustainable regional Victoria in which communities connect with each other, with major regional centres and with Melbourne.
“Ready for Tomorrow is a $631 million strategic investment by our Government to drive a new era of opportunity and prosperity in regional Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.
“Greater investment in roads builds better connected communities and supports the growth of industry and jobs across the state.
“A key part of this blueprint is greater investment in roads, connecting regional Victorians, protecting the quality of life enjoyed by families in our regions.
“This package will support improvements to regional road connections as well as assisting local government upgrades to local roads, with a priority being key timber roads and comes on top of the significant commitments we’ve made to major roads projects in our regional areas.
“It also commits $11.4 million to improve town bus services in the Latrobe Valley, Romsey and Lancefield so that communities can enjoy better access for to work, education opportunities and community, health and other services.”
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said regional Victorians were already enjoying better and safer roads, which is vital to economic growth in the regions.
“Investment in state-impacted local roads, timbers roads and bridge strengthening will go a long way towards building a better and safer regional transport system,” Ms Allan said.
“Greater road connectivity to better economic and lifestyle opportunities is key to the continued prosperity and growth of our regional communities.”
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the Victorian Government had invested more than $3 billion on regional road projects across the state.
“This investment includes over $460 million to deliver more than 1250 road safety projects across regional and rural Victoria,” Mr Pallas said.
“Major projects including the recently completed Calder Freeway project, the Bass Highway upgrades, the Nagambie Bypass and the Western Highway upgrade and the Geelong Ring Road are examples of how this Government is delivering the services and infrastructure that regional families want and deserve.”