The Baillieu Liberal National Government has ignored the needs of residents and businesses who rely on the Bridgewater-Maldon Road by failing to make reopening the road a priority, the Shadow Roads Minister, Jacinta Allan said today.
Ms Allan and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards joined local residents who have been unable to travel on Bridgewater-Maldon Road between Eddington and Baringhup roads since the January 2011 floods.
Together they launched a petition demanding action from the Liberal National Government to have the road reopened.
“The floods have had a devastating effect on regional Victoria, but that is no excuse for the dithering of the Liberal National Government in failing to undertake the necessary works to have the road reopened,” Ms Allan said.
“These road works must be made a priority. The September school holidays start in a couple of weeks and the start of the bushfire season is just around the corner and this road is an important link for residents and businesses in the region.
“Ten months after the floods the Baillieu Government has dithered while residents and tourists are forced to take massive diversions around the closed Bridgewater-Maldon Road.
“With the Spring/Summer tourism season weeks away, tourists wanting to get to Maldon, Bridgewater, Daylesford, Bendigo, Mildura or Swan Hill, will have to add an extra 60 to 80 kilometres to their trip because of the road closure.
“Local businesses are suffering because of the road closure, and have been forced to reduce their hours of operation and cut back on staff.
“The Baillieu Government moved to reopen Wilsons Promontory Road and the Grampians Road before the holidays and the same priority needs to be given to Bridgewater-Maldon Road.
“Bridgewater-Maldon Road is a vital through-road for local residents as well as tourists and Roads Minister Terry Mulder needs to stop dithering and ensure VicRoads has the resources necessary to reopen the road before the September school holidays.”
Ms Edwards said the road closure also affected visitation to the popular Newbridge Recreation Reserve which attracted large numbers of campers in the holiday season.
“Regional tourism is vital to Maldon and it is not good enough for Mr Baillieu and Mr Mulder not to take action,” Ms Edwards said. “Residents and tourists are frustrated over the inaction of the Baillieu Government and some are even risking their own safety and using the road.
“Mr Baillieu and Mr Mulder must urgently instruct VicRoads to get on with the job of reopening the road and tell residents exactly when that will be.”