Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has raised concerns over neglected wire rope safety barriers along the Hume Highway.
Ms Cleeland posed questions to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety during Parliament, asking how regularly these barriers were being maintained after hearing concerns from several constituents.
“I’ve had constituents from Broadford to Benalla let me know about wire rope barriers left lying on the ground of the Hume for months on end,” Ms Cleeland said.
“These barriers are in place to keep motorists safe, yet they are being neglected at great risk to our communities.
“With the number of lives lost on regional roads seeing a sharp increase in the past year, it is imperative that this Government does not drop its standards when it comes to road maintenance and safety.
According to the VicRoads Road Management Plan, missing or broken safety barriers on major regional roads should be assessed within 30 days, to either repair them or set up a warning.
Ms Cleeland said the lack of care in replacing or repairing the barriers is symptomatic of the Labor Government’s neglect of the regional road network.
“The Allan Labor Government has diverted money away from our regional communities and are ignoring critical responsibilities like the condition of our roads,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Their sole focus seems to be on unnecessary Melbourne projects that continue to face out of control cost blowouts.”
“Labor has cut the road maintenance budget by 45 per cent since 2020, including a 25 per cent cut in last year’s budget.
“In addition to cuts to the road maintenance budget, PAEC evidence revealed that Labor also cut $230 million from road safety programs in the last year.”
