By Shelby Brooks
In the lead up to the federal election, Cardinia Shire Council is pushing for funding for the long promised extension of Thompsons Road.
The proposed extension would connect Thompsons Road to Cardinia Road in Officer South, providing an alternate east-west link to the Princes Highway.
In 2019 it was announced the State and Federal Governments would split the Thompsons Road upgrade cost of $140 million, providing $70 million each.
But the Federal Government pulled its allocated $70 million in May 2021 to go towards other priority road upgrades in the area.
At the time, Federal La Trobe MP Jason Wood blamed the State Government’s “blowout” spending on other road projects in the area, explaining that the $70 million had been relocated to fund the Pakenham road package, Clyde Road package, and Berwick train station car park.
Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM), a regional collaboration of the shires of Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula, and the cities of Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox and Monash, is calling for a greater investment in the South East by the next Federal Government.
It comes as no mention of the extension was made in the 2022 Federal Budget, which Cardinia Shire Mayor Geoff Springfield said wasn’t surprising.
“It’s certainly been something we’ve been advocating for from both State and Federal government but we were hoping to see something [in the Federal Budget],“ he said.
“We were given no promises though to be honest.“
Mayor Springfield said the Thompsons Road extension was vital to the shire.
“It’s such an important part of our infrastructure there in the south of the shire to really help open up the Officer South business precinct which really requires this extension for that to become functional,“ he said.
“We’re hoping the Federal Government will pay attention and deliver on some promises for us in the election coming up.
“It would be great to see both sides of politics understand the importance of the South East city deal we’re advocating for.“
Other priority projects that GSEM is advocating for as part of the South East city deal include Glasscocks Road extension, Lang Lang by-pass, the South East airport and upgrading recycled water infrastructure – Cora Lynn Recycled Water Scheme.
A spokesperson for the State Government said the lack of funding for Thompsons Road extension in the 2022 Federal Budget was disappointing.
“The State Government promised to duplicate Thompsons Road, remove the level crossing and we delivered,“ they said.
“Three years ago, the Federal Government promised $70M to fund further upgrades but then announced they were breaking this promise.
“The Federal Government is breaking their election commitments in Victoria to fund projects in other states.“
Federal Liberal La Trobe MP Jason Wood was contacted for comment.
