Regional Victoria speaks with one voice on roads
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MEDIA RELEASE
Meeting attendees in photo L-R (looking at the photo from empty chair next to Minister Spence):
- Bradley Thomas, Rural Councils Victoria Secretary and CEO of Hepburn Shire Council
- Scott Young, Vice President Victorian Farmers Federation
- Charlie Thomas, CEO Victorian Farmers Federation
- Cr Ben Blain, Chair RCV and Mayor of Warrnambool
- Russell Borchard, President Livestock & Rural Transporters Association
- Alina Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer Livestock & Rural Transporters Association
- Lisa Patroni, CEO Victorian Tourism Industry Council
Today, Regional Cities Victoria, the Victorian Farmers Federation, Rural Councils Victoria, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council and the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria delivered a united message to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ros Spence, calling for long-term investment in Victoria’s regional and rural road network.
We met with the Minister to discuss the growing safety and economic impacts deteriorating roads are having on communities, businesses and industries across the state.
The meeting provided an opportunity for frank discussion about the state of the network, and we reinforced that the time has come to move from talking about the problem to investing in the solution.
Whether it’s delivering freight, getting stock to market, welcoming visitors, taking the kids to footy or simply driving to work, communities right across rural and regional Victoria depend on safe and reliable roads.
Poor road conditions are adding costs throughout the supply chain, increasing freight costs and ultimately putting further pressure on the budgets of Victorian households.
We presented a united front, making it clear that this issue extends beyond individual roads, isolated projects and won’t be fixed by year-to-year funding announcements.
Regional roads are critical economic infrastructure, and investment needs to reflect the long-term role they play in keeping communities connected and supporting the industries that drive Victoria’s economy.
One of the most encouraging aspects of today’s meeting was the determination to make a difference. Different sectors and different perspectives, but the same message: we need a long-term investment plan for safer and more reliable roads which are essential to supporting regional and rural communities, strengthening productivity and keeping the Victorian economy moving.
We welcomed the opportunity to continue working constructively with the Victorian Government and look forward to turning today’s discussions into meaningful action.
Importantly we were encouraged to report urgent road hazards to VicRoads hotline 13 11 70 to record dangerous conditions that require immediate attention, and share this number across our networks. For more information about reporting road hazards visit this link.
Media: Emily Broadbent 0413 133 627
