The Barwon Heads Road upgrade will get a significant funding boost under a re-elected Liberal government.
Liberal candidate for Corangamite Stephanie Asher said the Liberal Party would invest another $200 million into the project if it’s re-elected on Saturday.
The commitment would build on the $292 million already provided for the project’s first stage – the duplication of Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road and Reserve Road, which is currently under construction.
Stage two of the Barwon Heads Rd upgrade involves the duplication of an additional six kilometres of road between Reserve Rd in Marshall and Lower Duneed Road in Armstrong Creek.
With 60,000 people expected to move into Armstrong Creek over coming years, Ms Asher said the project would better connect significant growth corridors from southern Geelong to Barwon Heads and beyond on the Bellarine Peninsula.
“This road is critical for growing Marshall, Armstrong Creek and Charlemont communities and those living on the Bellarine in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and beyond,” she said.
“I’m proud to make this significant commitment towards this essential local project. Only the Morrison Liberal Government will fund and deliver the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade.”
This commitment represents an 80 per cent share of the total estimated cost of the $250 million project and is conditional on the state government contributing the remaining $50 million.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $200 million investment demonstrated the government’s commitment towards creating more jobs and keeping people moving.
“We recognise this is a vital stretch of road and only a Morrison Liberal Government can be trusted to deliver the necessary upgrades to get locals home sooner and safer,” he said.
“Our strong economic management has allowed us to invest in this important project to support a fast-growing region, making sure the critical Barwon Heads Road gets the upgrades required to meet the needs of local residents, farmers and businesses.”
Labor had previously committed in November to invest $125 million into the project.
“That’s the costing that’s been done by G21 and the Geelong Council, so we believe this will ensure the project can go ahead,” Labor leader Anthony Albanese said at the time.
“We want to make sure that it happens.
“What we’re saying is this funding will be available from our first budget, and it will be included in our first budget.
“We know that by 2031 this road is projected to carry some 44,000 trucks and cars every single day. So, we know that this is a major issue for this community.
“We understand that the population here will grow to some 60,000 people, which is why we need infrastructure and this announcement … building on the work that’s already underway, will make a significant difference to productivity, to safety, to improving the lives of those people in this growing community.”
