State program to help fix local roads

LOCAL council roads in need of repair will get significant attention through the state government rolling out a $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan opened the first round of the program, which will be delivered by Regional Roads Victoria, last week.

Projects will include rebuilding deteriorating roads, sealing gravel roads, bridge strengthening, intersection improvements and safety upgrades.

Grants of up to $500,000 will be funded in round one. This includes grants of up to $15,000 which councils can use to develop projects for submission in round two.

Grants of up to $1.5 million will be funded in round two, and applications open early next year.

Labor says it has invested $333 million his year to repair, rebuild and resurface 1,500 kilometres of country roads, creating more than 650 construction jobs.

“Since coming to office we’ve doubled spending on road maintenance to make sure that regional Victorians get the road works they need,” Mr Donnellan said.

“We’ve heard what regional Victorians have had to say about their local roads, now we’re investing $100 million over two years to help local councils deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys.”

Applications for round one of the Fixing Country Roads Program are now open until October 15. Successful council projects will be delivered by June 2019.