General News
21 December, 2022
Council fears for promised road funds
MOYNE Shire Council fears almost $11.2 million in secured funding for road upgrades will be stripped away by the new Federal Government.
MOYNE Shire Council fears almost $11.2 million in secured funding for road upgrades will be stripped away by the new Federal Government.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan visited Woorndoo-Chatsworth Road in May this year to announce $11,178,491 in funding to be delivered under the Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program.
The funding was allocated to upgrade a total of 31.35 kilometres of dilapidated roads in the Woorndoo and Chatsworth area as part of the Chatsworth-Woorndoo Remote Roads Upgrade, which was slated to be delivered over two years.
At the time of publication the shire was still listed as a successful applicant under the program, but Moyne Shire councillor Ian Smith raised concerns the Federal Government had not been forthcoming with information surrounding the project following the Coalition’s defeat at this year’s election.
Cr Smith, who as then-mayor joined Mr Tehan for the funding announcement, said he was disappointed the shire “could not find any traction” on the project, which he considers an urgent need for the safety of motorists.
“We’ve had a lot of people calling with concerns about the state of Chatsworth-Woorndoo Road,” he said.
“We want to know where we are at with the funding because the road has further deteriorated due to the heavy rain in recent months.
“We had been assured the funding was there, but we haven’t been able to get any answers.”
Moyne Shire director of infrastructure and environment Edith Farrell confirmed the government had failed to make a commitment to delivering the funding.
“At this stage, council has not received a firm commitment regarding the Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program since the Federal election,” she told the Western District Newspapers.
“Council has endeavoured to make contact with the Federal Government on this issue, but unfortunately communication to confirm the funding has not been forthcoming.
“We are still hopeful that this publically announced funding will be honoured as the condition of our roads is the number one priority for our community.
“These road upgrades are well overdue and are necessary in helping us improve safety for all road users in the region.”
Western District Newspapers submit a number of questions to the Federal Government asking if the funding would still be delivered and what the expected timeline was.
A spokesperson declined to provide any assurances or meaningful details specific to the Chatsworth-Woorndoo Remote Roads Upgrade.
“The Australian Government will be honouring high-quality projects under the Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program,” the spokesperson said.
“Further details will be made available in due course.”