Questions over who is footing the bill for repair works to failed sections of the recently duplicated Princes Highway between Sale and Traralgon have gone unanswered in State Parliament.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien raised questions after multiple faults had to be patched earlier this year on a westbound section of the Highway, Traralgon-side of the Flynns Creek Road intersection – despite the new road only opening to motorists in early 2023.
“I was pretty surprised to see half a dozen significant patch jobs on the highway just a year or so after it was completely rebuilt.
“I asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Danny Pearson to confirm whether the original contractor for these works was responsible for these repairs or whether the Allan Labor Government would be using taxpayer funds to cover the costs,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It’s a straightforward question but Mr Pearson has failed to provide a straightforward response – he simply didn’t answer who is paying.
“Indeed he stated that ‘technical experts’ are still assessing why the pavement failed and bizarrely suggested ‘local environmental conditions…may have contributed”. There’s been a highway in this location for decades, so what ‘local’ condition could possibly be to blame that was not anticipated?”
Mr O’Brien said Victorians are fed up with repeated patch jobs on roads, especially newly constructed sections.
“Taxpayers should not be expected to pay for deficient work and the Allan Labor Government has a responsibility to ensure that Victorians are not being ripped off.
“While it is evident that our vehicles are paying the price for poor road surfaces, we are now also left wondering if we are footing the bill for Labor’s poor project management.
“Labor can’t manage money or projects, and it’s Gippsland roads and motorists that are suffering the consequences.”