Important upgrades to local roads in Macedon Ranges Shire

Published on 17 May 2022

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Ballarat Catherine King, along with the Member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell, announced yesterday that if elected, an Albanese Labor Government would improve roads across the Macedon Ranges and Mitchell shires, investing an additional $11 million dollars to deliver safer, better local roads across the region.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson thanked the Federal Labor Party for this funding commitment and said she was particularly pleased to hear the funding will go directly to the local councils, with priority local road works identified in close consultation with Council and local communities.

“This is a very welcome funding announcement. We are acutely aware there are many local roads across the shire in need of improvement. Receiving this additional commitment means many of the priority projects identified by Council and our community can be addressed and our rate-payer funds can go further,” she said.

Last week Liberal Candidate for McEwen, Richard Welch, announced that if re-elected, a Morrison Government would provide more than $8.5 million for upgrades to local roads across the Macedon Ranges. Today’s announcement from the Federal Labor Party ensures investment in much-needed upgrades to local roads will soon be a reality.

Chief Executive Officer Bernie O’Sullivan said this is great news for the shire, as with the population expected to continue growing, so too does the strain on our local roads.

“It is important we keep working to support priority local road improvements, which will make a big difference to our local communities.

Knowing both major parties at a Federal level are committed to improving our local roads means we can look forward to addressing some of the current concerns in this area ”, he said.

Today’s commitment builds on the Labor Party's previously announced $250 million boost to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, aimed at delivering additional funding to local road upgrades in regional and peri-urban communities like those in McEwen.