VICTORIA’S peak motoring group says it will start hoisting “red flags” in its bid to secure commitments to regional transport ahead of the November state election.
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The RACV has an election pledge monitor on its website but a sluggish start to the state election campaign has left it contemplating a bid to ramp up the watchdog.
RACV chief executive Brian Negus said one of the key projects listed by the statewide group was the Princes Highway duplication between Colac and Winchelsea.
According to the RACV score card, Labor has received a “green light” for its partial funding commitment of $257 million. The Coalition has received a “yellow light” for in-principle support but no guaranteed funding as yet.
“The RACV is committed to increased funding for transport across the board — we’re not just focused on roads,” Mr Negus said.
“Duplication of the highway between Geelong and Winchelsea is locked in but further along the line from Colac and Winchelsea is not guaranteed. There needs to be a rock-solid commitment that this vital piece of road infrastructure is built.”
Duplication of the Princes Highway between Colac and Winchelsea was first pledged by then opposition leader Tony Abbott and former prime minister Julia Gillard at the 2010 federal election.
Labor and the Coalition also backed the project ahead of the 2010 state election.
“Our election monitor is starting to gain traction. We update it regularly and it keeps the major parties accountable on road, rail and other transport infrastructure projects.
Mr Negus said the rollback of the completion date for duplication work along the Princes Highway between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea was disappointing.
VicRoads confirmed last week the three-year duplication project would be extended by another 12 months.
“It’s certainly a bit slower than what you’d expect,” the RACV chief executive said. “The deadline was this year and it’s been rolled into the next, which would be frustrating for local drivers who thought the end was in sight.”
Premier Denis Napthine urged motorists to be patient and said the roll-out of the project had been hampered by wet weather.
“The benefits of duplication will outweigh the inconvenience at the moment, which I understand, but it is temporary,” the South West Coast MP said.
