PASIN WELCOMES FUNDING FOR MALLEE HIGHWAY UPGRADES

TONY PASIN MP

MEMBER FOR BARKER

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT

MEDIA RELEASE

PASIN WELCOMES FUNDING FOR MALLEE HIGHWAY UPGRADES

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has welcomed the upgrades planned for the Mallee Highway between Tailem Bend and Geranium and called for further funding to be spent on the road to the Victorian border.

Mr Pasin has previously warned that increasing numbers of heavy vehicles using the road as a result of good grain harvests has made an already unsatisfactory road fall into further disrepair.

Mr Pasin said that since rail freight ceased in 2015 the Mallee Highway had suffered extensive deterioration that has been exacerbated in the last couple of years of good harvest.

“I’m pleased that the Mallee Highway will receive a share of funding under the Federal Government’s Road Safety Program,” said Mr Pasin.

“With a $3 billion backlog of road maintenance in South Australia alone, any funding from the Federal Government into our road network is welcomed. I only hope that this is the first of many announcements into our regional freight network including the remainder of the 370km section of Mallee Highway located in SA.”

“We know that delaying road maintenance costs taxpayers more in the long run, so while I welcome the funding announcement and beginning of works it is unfortunate that it comes at least 18 months later than required,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Mallee Highway is an integral part of our regional road network, transporting large volumes of some very significant commodities,” Mr Pasin said.

“Keeping freight running efficiently and safely is vital to keeping our economy strong and supporting jobs. Providing a well maintained and connected road network through the Mallee is a fundamental part of this,” Mr Pasin said.

Mr Pasin said he’d like to see further investment made into other local roads including the Karoonda, Riddoch, Brows Well and Ngarkat Highways as well as Frances and Naracoorte Roads.

Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds | Ph: 8724 7730