Funding for road sealing works across the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia have been cut under the Labor Government’s 2022-23 Budget.
Under the Sealing the Hills and Roads for Community Programs, 110 kilometres of unsealed roads in Cardinia and 187 kilometres in the Yarra Ranges would have been sealed between 2020 and 2029.
The program was possible due to $300 million in Federal funding committed by the Coalition in 2019 that would have seen Cardinia Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Council seal and modernise hundreds of kilometres of unsealed roads.
This was a unique opportunity for Casey residents to see their local roads sealed.
Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi said these cuts were yet another blow to communities in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley.
“Labor and Anthony Albanese have broken their promises from 2019 when they committed to this project and publicly stated how important these upgrades were for our communities,” he said.
“Road sealing is so important to the Casey electorate, especially coming into bushfire season and after recent flooding events. Our roads are our main escape route, it is crucial they are as safe as possible. I will continue to fight to have this vital funding reinstated,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor, Jim Child said the community deserves better. “Council has been able to deliver a large number of critical road projects in our municipality through this program since it was introduced in 2019 and we had hoped this program would enable us to complete more eligible projects for the community,” Mayor Jim Child said. “On top of record rains, unprecedented storms, material shortages and sky-rocketing costs, our roads have taken a literal beating and if the Government decides to cut the Roads for Community Program, then we may have little choice but to cancel already planned road sealing works.”
