East Gippsland: Great Alpine Road near Ensay to be upgraded

It’s widely regarded as one of Victoria’s most dangerous roads. But now this part of the Great Alpine Road is going to be repaired in coming weeks.

A small section of the Great Alpine Rd that has been under speed restrictions for at least two years will finally be upgraded with a $2.6 million funding injection.

The 1.8km section between Ensay and Swifts Creek to be “rebuilt from the ground up” was identified by The Weekly Times’ readers last year as one of the worst roads in the state.

Victorian Roads Minister Melissa Horne said the funding would come out of the government’s $165 million emergency repair program announced after major flooding in the state’s north last year.

Ensay farmer Barry Newcomen has been campaigning to fix the Great Alpine Rd near his property for more than two years. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The section of road to be repaired runs past Ensay farmer Barry Newcomen’s property and he welcomed the long overdue works, which will start in “coming weeks” and take three months to complete.

“I’ve just been over to the Western District and I can see where all the money is being spent in Melbourne,” he said.

“I hear every day about how bad the country roads are suffering and I thought we would never get the money needed to fix our section up.

“But it’s great news and I’m glad someone’s pressure is going to bring fruit to bear.

“Now we can turn our attention to the bit between Doctors Flat and Swifts Creek, then the other side of Swifts Creek and the bit into Omeo that is down to 60km/h, and then some out to Cobungra.”

The works schedule means the road will be upgraded in time for the ski season, but not for next month’s Mountain Calf Sales at Hinnomunjie, Omeo and Ensay nor Easter long weekend.

Victorian Roads Minister Melissa Horne. Picture: Alison Wynd

More than $55 million of the $165 million set aside by the government is being spent in Gippsland and the North East, which are connected by the Great Alpine Rd.

“We know how important the Great Alpine Rd is, not just for tourists, but for northeastern communities who rely on it to access vital goods and services,” Ms Horne said.

Mr Newcomen said the road had become highly dangerous in the past two years.

“You’ve got to avoid the very bad humps on the side of the road,” he said.

“They’ve all been squashed out by trucks.

“Someone coming the other way is trying to do the same.

“It’s a wonder there hasn’t been an accident.”

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull. Picture: Supplied

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull welcomed the funding, but said there was more to do.

“It is good the state government has finally recognised what I see as one of the worst stretches of road in not only East Gippsland, but probably the state,” he said.

“Our road problems aren’t confined to that 2km stretch.

“We need significantly increased funding for country roads in this year’s budget and not another cut.”