Federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker has launched a survey intended to identify the concerns Armstrong Creek residents have about their local roads.
The Armstrong Creek Local Roads Survey is asking residents to express their opinions on road closures, road conditions and unsafe sections in the Armstrong Creek growth area.
Ms Coker said the survey has come in response to the “many constituents” who have contacted her to complain about the state of roads in the area and the “poor communication” from developers and the council.
“Some residents speak about a sense of entrapment in their own suburbs, and the ‘rat runs’ that are occurring due to several road closures,” Ms Coker said.
“I’ve written to the City of Greater Geelong, raising my concerns and the frustration of my communities across Armstrong Creek, Charlemont and Mount Duneed.”
“The City have an important role to play in making sure locals feel safe on the road, students have the footpaths they need to walk to school, and emergency service providers can easily access some of the new estates built over the last few years.”
In addition to the issues raised by constituents, she said concerns about local roads had been raised at a recent meeting held by the Armstrong Creek Community Safety and Crime Prevention, which Ms Coker chairs.
In May this year the federal government announced it would commit $4.4 billion to the Roads to Recovery program over the next five years, beginning with $1 billion in the 2024-25 budget.
Roads to Recovery provides funds to local governments to upgrade and maintain road networks. Of the promised $4.4 billion, Victorian councils will receive $895 million over the five years, and increase of about 40 per cent from previous years.
“We’ve committed to progressively doubling the program’s funding to $1 billion annually, as outlined in the 2024-25 Budget,” Ms Coker added.
“The funding increase will allow local governments to plan for the long-term maintenance and upgrade of their road network, shielding critical road safety measures from the uncertainty of budget cycles.”
Visit Libby Coker’s Instagram or Facebook to participate in the Armstrong Creek Local Roads Survey.
