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Another week, another game of political football over roads funding.
Roads Minister Jaala Pulford, an upper house member of parliament that covers our region, fronted a Public Accounts and Estimates Committee this week where she faced questions over the state government's silence on funding for the Princes Highway west of Colac.
Last week we revealed that less than half of the improvements listed in a 15-year blueprint for the highway had not been completed 19 years after the plan's release.
South West Coast MP Roma Britnell sought answers to this and the state government's failure to match $60m funding from the federal government for the highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
Ms Pulford reportedly said the government had not committed any funds to the Princes Highway because it was "not a priority", according to Ms Britnell.
There is no public recording of the hearing. In response to our questions, Ms Pulford said: "Once again Roma Britnell is making things up."
Put the political games to one side and what we are left with - yet again - is no new funding for the dangerous and dilapidated highway, and no clear way forward.
We deserve better.
The week began with the annual Queen's Birthday Honours. It was fantastic to see some true local heroes, Cobden's Les Sumner and Mortlake pair Jill Parker and Merv Hampson, receive Order of Australia Medals.
Law and order dominated the headlines. Early in the week police revealed an alarming number of driving offences during the long weekend. Then there were worrying drink driving cases. Police made it clear they will be tireless in their pursuit of those doing the wrong thing, committing to a new plan to target problem areas.
The feel-good stories of the week were those promoting yesterday's big freeze event at Cobden to raise funds and awareness about the debilitating motor neurone disease. The event was a big hit.
The week ended with our in-depth report that documented the Essential Services Commission's concerns about Warrnambool City Council's financial sustainability. The council, in its response to the commission, revealed council amalgamations 25 years ago were one of several underlying issues with its boundaries putting financial pressure on it. After a recent call by residents in Bushfield and Woodford to leave the city council and join Moyne Shire, it's time to review council boundaries, according to experts. Former city mayor David Atkinson summed up the issue perfectly when he was asked what should happen. "Let's just have one council and be done with it," he said with reference to the city council and Moyne Shire merging.
It's a suggestion that needs to be thoroughly investigated sooner rather than later.
Here's a selection of stories that also made headlines this week.
Until next week