Federal politicians have shirked away from committing funding for the dilapidated and dangerous Princes Highway.
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The Standard asked the Liberal and Labor parties if they would put forward its share of $300 million to upgrade the integral road west of Colac, with neither party obliging.
Deputy Prime Minister and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government recognised roads in poor condition had “a tangible impact on safety and economic outcomes for all road users”.
He said in 2016 the government committed $20 million towards the $40 million Princes Highway West – Colac to SA Border Upgrade, which was delivering about 41 kilometres of pavement upgrades on the highway.
The Princes Highway from Colac to the border is about 268 kilometres.
Mr McCormack said the government was developing a Princes Highway Corridor Strategy which would identify and prioritise transport infrastructure investment over the short, medium and long term across the entire length of the highway in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
“Once complete, the strategy will inform the investment decisions of both Federal and State governments,” he said.
“The Princes Highway west of Colac will be considered as part of the strategy and there will be a community consultation period later this year.”
He said the highway could be could be considered for funding as a road of significance as part of the National Land Transport Network initiative.
Wannon MP Dan Tehan said he fully supported the highway being recognised, and noted he had written to the State Government to ensure it was high on its list of priorities.
“There is no question more money needs to be spent on it (the Princes Highway),” he said.
“I will certainly be advocating for more money and for every dollar the commonwealth gives for the State Government to match it.”
The State Government’s roads minister Luke Donnellan said it would “continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure the commonwealth gives us our fair share of infrastructure funding”.
“We’re already getting on with fixing damaged sections of the Princes highway between Colac and South Australia and we’re working with our federal counterparts to identify future improvements,” he said.
Federal opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said the Labor party had not decided if the highway would be acknowledged as a road of national significance.
“The opposition is in the process of assessing our infrastructure commitments for the next election,” he said.
“We are consulting with state governments and local councils and will make our announcements closer to the election.”
It comes as business is booming for south-west tyre repair stores, who are seeing more customers with broken rims and tyres.