Altona Meadows and Point Cook win from Labor’s road funding blitz

Regional areas remain on the outer as more city road projects win federal and state funding. See where the money is headed.

City projects continue to be the pre-election beneficiaries of the federal and state Labor governments “road blitz” with sorely needed works in regional areas missing out again.

On Thursday, two projects in Melbourne’s west were the latest two to get funding.

There was $55m allocated to duplicate and upgrade Central Ave between Lunn Court and Skehan Boulevarde in Altona Meadows and $3.5m for a business case to upgrade Point Cook Road between Jamieson Way and Dunnings Road.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Gellibrand MP Tim Watts. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

Both projects are located in the federal seat of Gellibrand held by Labor’s Tim Watts.

“Growing suburbs in Melbourne’s West need growing infrastructure investments to match,” he said.

“My constituents have been stuck in traffic for too long. ​

“After a decade of neglect under the Coalition, the federal Albanese government is acting, delivering the funding needed for building Australia’s future.

“Residents in Point Cook have long been waiting for a fix for Point Cook Road.

“This business case will provide the State government with a plan for the solution.”

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie said Labor’s priorities had clearly shifted to shoring up its Melbourne “safe” seats.

“After years of neglect but some poor polling, they are scrambling to make some Melbourne-based infrastructure announcements,” she said.

“It’s a repeat of the Commonwealth Games debacle.

“When Labor comes under pressure to prioritise, it is regional Victoria that gets shafted.”

Previous funding as part of the “road blitz” have been at Walla, Carrum, Cranbourne West and Melton.