Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is calling on locals to nominate a road or intersection most in need of upgrade by completing a national road survey, launched this month by Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tony Pasin MP.
Mr Pasin said the Albanese Labor Government had allowed the national road network to fall into disrepair with billions of dollars in funding cuts and delays since coming to Government.
“Australia’s 880,000 kilometres of road network underpins almost every aspect of our lives. From getting to and from work and school to getting produce off the farm and off to market, a good road network underpins the efficient and safe movement of people and goods and it’s critical to competing in a global market,” Mr Pasin said.
“Motorists take responsibility for ensuring their vehicle is roadworthy and pay taxes and charges for the privilege to use our road network.
“In turn, a core responsibility of Government is to ensure the road network is up to standard. It’s very clear from the condition of roads across the country that the Albanese Labor Government is not living up to its end of the bargain.”
Within the first two years of the Labor Government, $27.9 billion worth of infrastructure projects have been cancelled, cut and delayed.
This includes funding for councils to upgrade and maintain local roads, as well as programs like Roads of Strategic Importance.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said roads throughout the Parkes electorate aren’t receiving the maintenance and upgrades they need, and the impacts of Federal Government funding cuts – particularly to our local councils – were being felt by road users and residents firsthand.
“As someone who regularly travels across hundreds of kilometres within the Parkes electorate, I know first-hand how terrible some parts of the road network have become,” Mr Coulton said.
“I’m calling on the residents of the Parkes electorate to help shine a light on the appalling condition of our roads by taking part in this national survey.”
Mr Coulton encouraged residents to submit their views through the survey available at www.research.net/r/2HRHBV9. The survey requires people to provide their contact details which will be added to a contact list, and will be open until 5pm, 30 August 2024.
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