Road sealing program funding for Dandenongs, Cardinia cut by federal government

The federal government is under fire after it cut millions promised to upgrade battered, dangerous roads in the Dandenongs and Cardinia Shire.

The federal government has cut funding for a road sealing program in the Dandenongs and Cardinia Shire.

A federal government decision to scrap vital road safety upgrades in the Dandenong Ranges and Cardinia Shire has been slammed as an “absolute disgrace”.

The government has discontinued funding for the Sealing the Hills and Roads for our Community projects in the Cardinia Shire and Yarra Ranges, which would have helped seal hundreds of kilometres of unsealed roads.

The previous federal government announced the $300m program in 2019, to be shared between the two councils, with bipartisanship support for the plan.

But both councils were shocked to hear it has now been cut, putting dozens of planned road upgrades in doubt.

Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire have co-signed a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pleading for the “absolutely vital” funding to be reinstated.

“The program will deliver essential improvements to both road safety and access for our residents, tourists, and members of emergency services,” the councils said.

“Our communities have been severely impacted by major storms, most notably the June 9, 2021, storm which was the largest on record, and are some of the highest-risk bushfire areas in the state.

“A dangerous network of unsealed roads adds another layer of complexity.”

The letter said both councils had completed extensive community consultation about the program, and construction had started, with designs and investigations underway for more than half of the roads in the overall program for both municipalities.

“Should the Australian Government’s funding no longer be available, both councils will have no choice but to abandon this project at great reputational and financial risk to all levels of government,” the letter said.

Dozens of motorists living in Cardinia are being stung thousands of dollars to repair tyres due to large potholes. Picture: Supplied

A spokeswoman for the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, said the current economic conditions were affecting the delivery of infrastructure investments, and increasing pressure on the Commonwealth Budget. “So existing infrastructure projects have been reviewed, and in some cases, reduced or discontinued,” the spokeswoman said.

“This includes the Sealing Roads projects in the Dandenong Ranges for the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire councils, where future projects have been discontinued.

“A number of projects have already been delivered and we will continue to work with both councils to deliver works that are currently under construction or have tender processes underway to ensure minimal disruption.”

The spokeswoman said the government was investing in road infrastructure that would support a better connected future for the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding region, including by investing $1.75 billion in the North East Link.

Dozens of potholes have also developed across roads in the Yarra Ranges after rain smashed the area, while angry motorists are calling for roads to be urgently fixed in Pakenham after their cars were damaged.

Speaking in parliament, La Trobe federal Liberal MP Jason Wood slammed the funding cut as an “absolute disgrace”, and another blow for the hills’ community following the federal government’s decision to cut funding for the promised Wellington Rd upgrade.

“I cannot believe the Labor federal government and Prime Minister hate the people of the Dandenong Ranges and hills,” he said.

Potholes in Hull Road Mooroolbark after recent storms. Picture: Nicholas Higgins

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said he was very disappointed by the decision.

“This is one of the best projects that we’re delivering to our community,” he said.

“I’m just so disappointed if this is some sort of cost cutting exercise by a new government. “They’re going to hurt their constituents, they’re going to hurt Yarra Ranges communities.”

Cr Child said the council had already used some of the $150m funding promised to get started on delivering road sealing projects in urban areas of the Shire, with residents also contributing through a special charge scheme.

He said the federal government funding allowed residents to contribute about half of what they would normally pay under the special charge scheme.

Cr Child said he didn’t know exactly how much funding the council would now miss out on, and “couldn’t comprehend” the decision to cut the program.

“If this program falls apart I don’t know when we’ll ever get a chance to do this again,” he said.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver this project, to seal our unsealed urban road network.”

Gruyere man Greg Conway on his unsealed road in 2019. Picture: Josie Hayden

A Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson said the government’s funding through the Sealing the Hills project subsidised about 85 per cent of the total cost of works and without the funding, the council and residents would be unable to cover the cost alone.

The council has had $41m of federal funding approved for current and upcoming works under the program.

The council has received $22m towards the works, with $128m outstanding.

Since starting in mid-2021, the council has completed or is nearing completion on sealing seven roads, with construction set to ramp-up shortly, with works on 32 roads expected to start in early 2023.

The spokesperson said the council had already progressed designs, environmental investigations, and community consultations for an additional $45m of works.

There are a total of 42 packages outstanding in the Sealing the Hills program across more than 160 roads and 102kms in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounds.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Tammy Radford said “on behalf of our communities, we would be extremely disappointed should federal funding not be available for the entirety of this vitally important road safety program”.

Labor candidate for Monbulk Daniela De Martino did not comment on the federal government’s decision to cut the program, but said:

“While this is a matter for the Commonwealth, Cardinia Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Council who are responsible for local roads, I drive these roads regularly and I understand how important well-maintained roads are to our community.

“The Andrews Labor Government has invested more than $165 million for emergency repairs in flood-affected areas, on top of the $35 billion we’ve invested to improve the road network since 2014, rebuilding or resurfacing more than 12,000 kilometres of roads.”