Delivering better local roads for regional victorians

Local councils like the Macedon Ranges Shire, Hepburn Shire, Mount Alexander Shire and Moorabool Shire can now apply to the Andrews Labor Government’s $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program as part of a record $941 million investment in regional roads.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, has welcomed the announcement that will help rural and regional councils to fix the local roads and bridges that need it most.

Unlike the previous Liberal National Government’s dud Country Roads and Bridges Program, this fund is not a blank cheque to councils. It comes with strict requirements to ensure money is actually spent on local roads.

Projects will include rebuilding deteriorating roads, sealing gravel roads, bridge strengthening, intersection improvements and safety upgrades.

These grants come on top of the biggest road maintenance blitz regional Victoria has ever seen, $333 million is being invested this year to repair, rebuild and resurface 1,500 kilometres of country roads – creating more than 650 construction jobs in regional Victoria.

The Labor Government has more than doubled road maintenance spending since coming to office.

Applications for round one of the Fixing Country Roads Program are now open until 15 October. Successful council projects will be delivered by June 2019.

For more information or to apply visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"Since coming to office we’ve doubled spending on road maintenance to make sure that regional Victorians get the road works they need."

"Whether it’s rebuilding deteriorating roads, sealing gravel roads, bridge strengthening, intersection improvements or safety upgrades, we’re getting on with the biggest road maintenance blitz our region has ever seen – fixing the roads we all rely on."

"I want to encourage all local councils to apply, to make sure that local council managed roads aren’t left behind as we roll out our record investment in country roads."