Call for highway funding promise

Andrew Mathieson
BOTH major political parties should make funding the duplication of the Princes Highway between Geelong and Colac their number-one priority, according to a councils alliance body.
G21, which represents the region’s five council’s on planning and development issues, said Princes Highway West was vital to the economy of south-western Victoria yet renowned as one of the state’s worst highways for road fatalities.
G21 chief Elaine Carbines welcomed a Federal Government commitment to duplication the highway to Winchelsea but wanted Labor to follow the Liberals’ lead in promising to extend the works to Colac.
“The Princes Highway West needs federal Labor to commit funds (because) saving lives should take precedence over party politics,” Ms Carbines said.
“Travel demand” on the stretch of highway was set to increase 3.5 per cent annually, she said.