Thursday, 6 December 2007

Sykes lobbies for country road funding

Nationals MP for Benalla, Bill Sykes continued his lobbying for country road funding when he raised the dangerous state of local roads in Parliament this week.

Dr Sykes highlighted to Parliament local concerns about:

The Tatong/Benalla Road which is used by B double log trucks from daylight to dusk. Many sections of the road are very narrow necessitating oncoming vehicles to go off the bitumen onto gravel to pass the log trucks. T his can result in serious accidents especially if the bitumen shoulders and gravelled sections have not been properly maintained due to inadequate funds.

The Witt Street/Old Hume Highway intersection in Benalla desperately needing a roundabout to safely cope with the large number of trucks and general traffic.  The roundabout would cost about $400,000 and should be a top priority for Grey Spot funding – none of which has found its way into North East Victoria yet.

Creighton’s Creek Road in Strathbogie Shire - another death trap with its narrow and grossly uneven surfaces; totally inadequate to meet the needs of the growing population in the Strathbogie Shire to safely travel for daily activities such as shopping and medical appointments.

Dr Sykes continued, “The Nationals Fix Country Roads, Save Country Lives Campaign has been very effective in highlighting the continuing unacceptable high level of deaths on country roads whilst deaths on city roads have fallen dramatically.

“The RACV recommends commitment of an extra $200m per year for 10 years to fix the country roads.

“Unfortunately the Melbourne centric Labor Government has failed to come good with the much needed extra funds.

“I have invited Tim Pallas, Minister for Roads & Ports to come to North East Victoria and inspect some of our problem roads with me – a date is yet to be set.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “My message to the Labor Government is simple. Live up to your claims that you govern for all Victorians and fix country roads to save country lives.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989

Editors:

Please find attached speaking notes

Hansard proof of the speech will be available from www.parliament.vic.gov.au