THE state government has shirked calls to match roads funding for the south-west.
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The Standard asked roads minister Jaala Pulford if Wannon MP Dan Tehan's cash splash of $80 million would be reciprocated, after he called on his Victorian counterparts to stump up the money. The request was met with a scathing response.
"We won't be lectured by the Morrison minority government on infrastructure funding - when Victoria still doesn't receive it's fair share," a government spokeswoman said.
"Whether it's the Princes Highway West upgrade, the Warrnambool Line Upgrade or record investment in country roads, locals know it's the Labor Government that gets things done."
The Standard specifically asked about the Princes Highway west of Colac to the South Australian border, and if there were plans for duplication, however no information was forthcoming.
The government highlighted its duplication works from Colac to Winchelsea.
Princes Highway West Action Alliance spokesman Scott Cavanagh said all levels of government needed to work together to upgrade the dangerous and dilapidated road.
The alliance has identified three key projects it hopes will be funded.
These include duplicating the Princes Highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy at a cost of $60.8 million, improving the notorious 'blue church' intersection near Pirron Yallock at a cost of $5 million and duplicating the highway between Colac and Camperdown at a cost of $21 million.
"We think it's important for state, federal and local government to work collaboratively to address regional issues such as Princes Highway west between Colac and Port Fairy," Mr Cavanagh said.
"We hope the state government can work with the federal government and deliver some really important community outcomes on the Princes Highway. Any contribution they could make towards the project would be a fantastic outcome."
The state government advised maintenance works were being carried out on the Princes Highway from Colac to South Australia and throughout the Port of Portland.
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