Wednesday, 13^th February 2019

Councils in Eastern Victoria Region can now apply for a share in more than $70 million for safer and more reliable roads thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Second round grants of up to $1.5 million are now available to eligible councils to carry out important road rehabilitation and resealing works, road safety improvements, bridge strengthening and other upgrades.

In round one, all 48 councils across country Victoria secured funding with 91 projects on track for completion by the end of June.

This funding boost builds on the biggest road maintenance blitz regional Victoria has ever seen, with $333 million being invested this year to repair, rebuild and resurface more than 1,500 kilometres of country arterial roads.

Some of the 91 projects currently underway include the upgrade of Old Sale Road in Baw Baw,  construction and sealing of shoulders on Flynns Creek Road in Latrobe, rebuilding of the Murphy Street and Strickland Road roundabout in Bendigo, and the reconstruction of Lake Road in Kyabram.

Applications for round two close 18 March with successful projects to be announced in April. Councils must deliver these projects by June 2020.

The Labor Government has more than doubled road maintenance spending since coming to office and established Regional Roads Victoria a dedicated country roads authority to oversee this record investment.

To keep track of works currently underway or planned in your area visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“We’re continuing the work we’ve started with Victoria’s biggest country road maintenance blitz – and funding more works to improve safety and amenity all over the region.”

“Round two is now open, as we continue to deliver a safer, more reliable road network for every Victorian, regardless of where they live.”