Roads black hole

TOM BENNETT
THE CITY faces “massive” shortfall in roads funding, a Geelong councillor has confirmed.
At its meeting this week Geelong’s council called for an extension to the Federal Roads to Recovery Program to help it overcome the infrastructure funding shortfall.
Transport portfolio holder Cr Andy Richards said money was urgently needed for a number of road, footpath and drainage sites requiring “immediate repair”.
“There is between $10 million and $20 million worth of maintenance works that are currently on hold through lack of funds,” he said.
Cr Richards would not detail the roads and drains in most urgent need but said the problem existed in all parts of the municipality.
The federal funding initiative began in 2000 with Geelong receiving more than $18 million in grants.
It was due to end in 2014 after two extensions.
Cr Richards said it was extremely important that the funding program continue.
“Council had a substantial infrastructure and maintenance funding gap dating back to the time of amalgamation.”
“We have brought that (amount) down over time but there is still never enough money to carry out all the work that needs to be done,” he said.
“The Roads to Recovery program is vital for councils to continue to upgrade and maintain the safety of local roads,” he said.
Geelong councilors agreed to petition the Federal Government for increased and ongoing Roads to Recovery funding.
“Roads to Recovery is a good program which normally finds support from both sides of the House,” Cr Richards said.
“We need it to continue”.