Strathbogie says invest in roads and bridges

Strathbogie Shire Council says it has critical road and infrastructure projects that could be funded through a reinvestment in funds previously allocated to the Commonwealth Games.

At tonight’s Council Meeting, Councillors will vote on a recommendation to endorse a Notice of Motion which calls for the Victorian Government to invest in critical road and bridge projects in small rural and regional shires.

The recommendation will also consider the Notice of Motion being submitted to the Municipal Association of Victora (MAV) for consideration at the MAV State Council Meeting scheduled for October 13, 2023.

Mayor Cr Laura Binks said Council was advocating for the Victorian Government to invest in roads and bridges.

“While I understand and support the value of sporting facilities, rural and regional communities need safe roads to get them there,” Cr Binks said.

“Across our shire we have about 2500km of roads that have been significantly damaged by the effect of ongoing wet weather and the October 2022 floods.

“We estimate the damage bill could be as high as $50 million – something that is well outside our ability to fund.

“On top of this the flood event has forced the closure of Kirwans Bridge – a crucial access route to locals and visitors – and the Goulburn River underneath Chinaman’s Bridge is closed because collapse is imminent.”

The historic Kirwans Bridge, and the Nagambie waterways are key drivers to the economic success of the Nagambie region which has been hit hard by the floods.

“We’ve been forced to enact the force majeure clauses in our Road Management and Tree Management plans,” she said.

“We simply cannot provide the service levels outlined in these plans.”

Cr Binks said the impact to the community was so significant some of roads were no longer safe to navigate without reductions in speed limits.

“The $2 billion savings from the Commonwealth Games could make a huge difference to the road network right across Victoria,” Cr Binks said.

“Our community needs a safe road network.

“Our community needs to be able to travel across its essential bridges.

“Our community needs a safe accessible waterway that drives the people our local businesses rely on to our region.”