By NOEL MURPHY
AN early release of hard-won cash for the Great Ocean Road could lead to upgrade works beginning between Lorne and Apollo Bay in the next few months.
Federal Government is fast-tracking $15 million of an election-pledged $25 million into current budget spending, with works set to start early next year.
New Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said planning was already under way with VicRoads.
The initial $25 million commitment was for $5 million annually over five years but the fast-tracked $15 million would speed up the works, Ms Henderson said.
“VicRoads has already begun work on the scope of the Great Ocean Road upgrade, which will take two or three months to complete,” she said.
“I will be working closely with the Victorian Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder, VicRoads and the federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, to ensure that key stakeholders such as the relevant local councils and the G21 Alliance, along with the community, can provide feedback on their priorities for the upgrade.
“The upgrade over five years involves road surface maintenance, improvements to roadside cuttings and drainage, restoration of structures such as bridges, culverts and retaining walls, drainage and resurfacing works.”
Elaine Carbines, the chief of regional councils alliance group G21, welcomed a swifter cash flow.
“This will enable significant work this financial year – and don’t forget we also have $25 million from the State Government with $5 million a year for five years,” Ms Carbines said.
“That’s a very significant improvement on funding in the past and the real breakthrough is the Federal Government’s interest and commitment.”
The total $50 million follows a pitched battle over the road during the recent federal poll.
Labor’s former Corangamite MP, Darren Cheeseman, claimed a coalition government would dynamite the road’s cliffs and bring in B-double trucks as he launched overtures to pursue World Heritage listing for the road but declined to pledge cash for improvements.
State Government bolstered the national Coalition commitment when it stumped up a matching $25 million.
