General News
13 September, 2023
Highway passing lane still up in air: Webster
CONSTRUCTION of overtaking lanes on the Calder Highway at Derby remains in limbo as a Federal Government infrastructure project review drags on. A start was to have been made this year on the south-bound passing lanes with north-bound lanes in...
CONSTRUCTION of overtaking lanes on the Calder Highway at Derby remains in limbo as a Federal Government infrastructure project review drags on.
A start was to have been made this year on the south-bound passing lanes with north-bound lanes in a future stage.
Planning approvals had been sought from Loddon Shire for the removal of trees to widen the highway and construct the first overtaking lanes north of Bendigo.
But Mallee MP Anne Webster said Calder Highway works were among many projects in the electorate left in limbo by the 90-day review started more than four months ago.
She said Mallee communities were still waiting to hear whether their key projects would continue or be axed by the the Government more than 130 days after the review started.
“Mallee people are eager to see these projects delivered but the Minister is dragging her feet,” Dr Webster said.
“Important safety upgrades on Mallee highways such as overtaking lanes on the Calder Highway between Marong and Derby will provide a broad community benefit but Labor can’t even tell us if they will go ahead or not.”
Dr Webster said Infrastructure Minister Catherine King was playing politics by targeting Coalition projects under the guise of “cleaning up” the infrastructure pipeline.
“Excluding Labor election commitments from this review highlights Minister King’s pure cynicism when it comes to funding vital infrastructure,” she said.