The Barwon Heads Road upgrade will be officially funded, and an urgent health care clinic is coming to the Surf Coast, according to Tuesday’s budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered his fourth federal budget on March 25, confirming that Barwon Heads Road Upgrade would receive a $68.2 million boost to fully deliver the project’s second stage.
The funding will help upgrade close to 6km of road infrastructure from a two-lane to a four-lane arterial road along Reserve Road to Lower Duneed Road.
“Building Australia’s future also means building on the strength of our regions… with roads and railways connecting our regions to our cities and support economic growth,” Mr Chalmers said.
“We are investing more than $120 billion in infrastructure in every state and territory over the decade, improving the productivity, resilience, livability and sustainability of our cities, regions and communities.”
Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said the works would feature new traffic lights, a shared-use path, and upgraded intersections, with construction expected to start later this year.
“By 2031 Barwon Heads Road is projected to carry up to 44,000 cars and trucks every day, and Armstrong Creek is one of the Victoria’s fastest growing suburbs,” she said.
“The Barwon Heads Road duplication will create a safer road environment for our fast-growing region by improving traffic flow and ensuring working families spend less time in the car and more time at home.”
The budget also revealed a $657.9 million commitment to deliver 50 urgent care clinics across the country, including a Torquay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
The clinic was initially announced by Ms Coker earlier this month as an election promise by the Labor Party, with the exact federal funding for the project not yet known.
“(This will help in) taking pressure of hospitals and emergency departments, and all you need is your Medicare card,” Mr Chalmers said.
“Four in every five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of an urgent care clinic as a consequence; opening early, closing late, available on weekends.”
