By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
A body representing communities across rural Victoria has called for major Federal roads funding reforms, in the wake of recent devastating floods.<\/p>\n
Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) represents communities across Victoria\u2019s 34 rural council areas \u2013 including Moorabool \u2013 and has made a submission to the Federal Parliament\u2019s \u2018Inquiry into the implications of severe weather events on the national regional, rural, and remote road network\u2019.<\/p>\n
In its submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport RCV has called for:<\/p>\n
\u2022 An ongoing review of road engineering and construction standards to enhance the resilience of future road construction.
\n\u2022 Greater Federal Government funding for local roads to ensure that roads and road assets are built back to an appropriate higher standard.
\n\u2022 The use of waterproof products in road construction.
\n\u2022 Review of the Commonwealth\u2019s role in road resilience planning to ensure infrastructure can be built back to higher, climate-change-resistant standards as a matter of course.
\n\u2022 Creation of a proactive mitigation assessment fund so small rural councils have the resources to provide recommendations relating to disaster-prone infrastructure.<\/p>\n
RCV has also recommended that the Federal Government provide funding for detailed, localised flood mapping for each council area, the construction of new culverts and expansion of existing culverts, and clearance of weeds and other obstructions to flood channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur submission calls for what is in effect major but entirely practical and logical reforms to federal roads funding for rural, regional and remote areas,\u201d RCV Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent floods have demonstrated that rural, regional and remote communities are resilient but also extremely vulnerable. The Commonwealth \u2013 along with local and state government \u2013 has a vital role to play in minimizing the impacts of natural disasters on rural communities. Let\u2019s build back better \u2013 these are some practical suggestions to achieve that and so we don\u2019t have to keep rebuilding the same infrastructure into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moorabool Shire Council CEO Derek Madden said Council appreciated every dollar it gets from the Federal Government for roadworks \u2013 but it\u2019s never quite enough.<\/p>\n
This has been especially evident with the costs incurred from floods and storms over the past few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil is appreciative of the Federal Government funding it receives for roads. Like everything though, it\u2019s never enough to undertake everything that is required, so Council supports reform that includes additional funding for local roads,\u201d Mr Madden told the Moorabool News. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe particularly support the RCV submission around funding associated with storm events and natural disasters to make for a more resilient road network.\u201d<\/p>\n
To view the RCV\u2019s full submission, head to www.ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au\/news\/ and click \u2018RCV calls for major federal roads funding reforms\u2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis A body representing communities across rural Victoria has called for major Federal roads funding reforms, in the wake of recent devastating floods. Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) represents communities across Victoria\u2019s 34 rural council areas \u2013 including Moorabool \u2013 and has made a submission to the Federal Parliament\u2019s \u2018Inquiry into the implications of […]<\/p>\n