Regional and rural councils can now apply for a share in more than $70 million for safer and more reliable roads, according to the Victorian Government.
Second round grants of up to $1.5 million are now available to eligible councils to carry out important road rehabilitation and resealing works, road safety improvements, bridge strengthening and other upgrades.
In round one, all 48 councils across country Victoria secured funding with 91 projects on track for completion by the end of June.
This funding boost builds on the biggest road maintenance blitz regional Victoria has ever seen, with $333 million being invested this year to repair, rebuild and resurface more than 1,500 kilometres of country arterial roads.
Some of the 91 projects currently underway include the rebuilding of the Murphy Street and Strickland Road roundabout in Bendigo, the rebuilding and widening of Perkins Road at Lara and the reconstruction of Lake Road in Kyabram.
“We’re getting on with the biggest road maintenance blitz ever – fixing the roads all regional Victorians rely on,” Minister for Roads and Road Safety Jaala Pulford said. “Round two is now open, as we continue to deliver a safer, more reliable road network for every Victorian, regardless of where they live.”
Applications for round two close 18 March with successful projects to be announced in April. Councils must deliver these projects by June 2020.
The Labor Government has more than doubled road maintenance spending since coming to office and established Regional Roads Victoria a dedicated country roads authority to oversee this record investment.
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