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■ The State Government’s massive expenditure on projects such as the Suburban Rail Loop would be better spent on projects such as emergency services and the Kilmore By-Pass, Euroa MLA Annabelle Clee-land told Parliament last Thursday (Aug. 31). “In Kilmore the SES has been hampered by their existing facilities due to the significant growth along the Hume, which has seen their call-outs exponentially increase despite having to turn away new members due to their capacity constraints,” Ms Cleeland said. “New funding to build an upgraded shed on the existing site owned by the SES will alleviate some of this pressure and support their amazing work in the community and south all the way to Beveridge. All this funding came off the back of commitments from the Nationals. “While this Government has been dragged to the table on some local projects, there is still a desperate need for funding across the region. “While the Suburban Rail Loop, the great lemon that is neither supported by a business case nor appropriate for the current economic circumstances, rolls on, there is growing concern around the future of the Kilmore bypass. “No business case has been completed, the land acquisition process has blown out over the years and funding for this is set to expire with its completion by the end of the new financial year. “Several questions I have raised about this to the minister remain months overdue and unanswered, and we do not seem to be getting any closer to a resolution. “Next year’s budget needs to see more money on the books for the actual construction of this vital piece of infrastructure that will transform Kilmore nd greatly enhance the livability of the town. “While the government is happy to throw tens of billions of dollars down the drain because of their inability to manage major infrastructure, perhaps it should get back to basics and invest in regional bypasses that will have a significant
● Annabelle Cleeland, Euroa MLA benefit to communities, ones like ours in Kilmore and other places like Shepparton. “While on the topic of roads, let us take a look at this Government’s senseless cuts to road asset management. “They cut funding to roads when they first got into government, did a little bit of backtracking a few years ago and now in the wake of extensive damage to the state’s network after last year’s floods have cut another 25 per cent of the budget. “We have a backlog of billions in terms of road maintenance. Now we have seen even more cuts to the roads resurfacing budget, and all the while our regional rods crumble and our devastating road toll continues to rise. “The Government are very good at claiming black is white and saying they have boosted road funding over the decade, but it is categorically not true. “The resilience of the road network is something that has a disproportionate impact on regional Victorians and our economy, two of the favourite whipping boys of the Premier.” Meanwhile, Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish presented a petition with more than 1800 signatures to Parliament, demanding attention to road construction needs on the Goulburn Valley Hwy, the Maroondah Hwy and Melba Hwy. The petitioon complainsabout the rapidly deteriorating condition of the highways between Yarra Glen and Mansfield. “The Melba Highway, the Goulburn Valley Highway between Yea and Yarck, and the Maroondah Highway from Yarck to Mansfield have a significant number of potholes, crumbling shoulders, and broken bitumen, which is jeopardising driver’s safety,” said the petition. “Drivers are forking out costs for blown tyres, busted rims, and wheel realignment after hitting potholes. Ms McLeish also presented a further petition bearing 60 signatures: ● More on Page 9
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