Calls for Treasurer Jim Chalmers to avoid further cuts to Victoria’s project sector

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been urged to steer clear of further budget cuts to Victoria’s major projects amid fears the state’s infrastructure is deteriorating.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is being urged to rule out any further cuts to the infrastructure pipeline in the upcoming federal budget amid fears about unsafe roads and families spending more time stuck in traffic.

Victorian councils are among those pleading for certainty after Labor scrapped more than $1bn of projects as part of its waste and rorts audit.

The Coalition will on Thursday call on Mr Chalmers to confirm there will be no further cuts and delays to projects, as the Treasurer comes under pressure to tighten the purse strings.

“Is he going to make the hard decisions or more easy hits on roads and infrastructure,” Opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said.

“The only infrastructure the government is interested in are the white elephant projects of state Labor ministers, such as the massively underfunded Suburban Rail Loop.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is being urged to rule out any further cuts to the infrastructure pipeline. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Glenn Campbell

“Labor’s lack of ambition represents a plan for gridlocked city streets, unsafe freight routes and less family time at home.”

The federal government scrapped dozens of Victorian projects in the October budget claiming they were underfunded by the Coalition and facing cost blowouts.

It was also accused of making a further $1.6bn in cuts and delays over the next four years.

But concerns are growing that more local projects will be on the chopping block ahead of the May 9 budget, as increased spending on defence, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, health and aged care puts strain on government spending.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Mayor Steve Holland said he was worried about the Uralla Road and Nepean Highway intersection upgrade, the Jetty Road overpass and the $225m Frankston to Baxter rail upgrade – which he claimed the state government was “not interested in”.

Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Jacinta Allan inspects early works of the Suburban rail loop. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

The former Liberal member said delays meant more money would be needed to meet soaring construction costs and “more accidents” would occur as the population grew.

“At this stage, I’d be more worried about the projects being scrapped entirely than looking at the likelihood of the federal government topping up the funding commitments they’ve made,” Mr Holland said.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said Labor’s decision to cut almost $150m in funding for road sealing from it and the Cardinia Shire in October meant the project could no longer go ahead.

“We’re not actually asking for more money we just want the reinstatement of the money that the federal government promised us,” the former Nationals candidate said.

A spokeswoman for Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the government worked closely with state, territory and local governments to deliver the road and rail infrastructure Australians need to get around safely, smoothly and efficiently.

“We will continue to do so through the 2023-24 budget, and details will be released in due course,” she said.

THREE PROJECTS UNDER A CLOUD

– Frankston to Baxter rail upgrade

– Uralla Road and Nepean Highway intersection upgrade

– Sealing Roads in the Dandenong Ranges (Cardinia and Yarra Ranges shires)