By Corey Everitt
Hundreds of millions of dollars in road upgrades locally still hang in the balance as the Federal Government has received the final report, but are yet to reveal its findings.
In May, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King announced the National Infrastructure Investment Program Review which assessed the viability of hundreds of upcoming projects across the country as the $120 billion infrastructure pipeline had blown out by $33 billion, according to Ms King.
The start of these projects were halted as the review was conducted for a maximum of 90 days and included in those being assessed were the Pakenham Roads Upgrade and the Clyde Road Upgrade.
Reports indicate the Federal Government was handed the final report of the review in late August or early September.
So far, the Federal Government has been sitting on the findings that could determine the future of vital infrastructure in Pakenham and Berwick.
The Pakenham Roads Upgrade is split into three stages, sharing an overall budget of $391 million.
Stage 1’s beginning slipped in before the review, with extra lanes on the Princes Freeway and upgrades to exits and entry ramps onto Healesville-Kooweerup Road and McGregor Road.
However, stages 2 and 3, which haven’t started, could be axed.
These stages are upgrades to McGregor and Racecourse Roads, which include duplicating lanes along stretches of both busy roads, something that has been advocated for locally by Cardinia Shire Council.
These works could be axed, leaving the Pakenham Roads Upgrade two-thirds incomplete.
While over in Berwick, the $250 million upgrade to Clyde Road, which would see improvements along the road’s congested intersection with Princes Freeway, could be thrown out entirely.
Berwick MP Brad Battin said the predicament had come from the State and Federal Governments’ budget mismanagement, leaving the growth areas behind.
“Berwick, Pakenham, Clyde North and everything in between are sick of Labor Governments ignoring the need for infrastructure that keeps up with population growth,” Mr Battin said.
“The Andrews Labor Government is broke and Victoria is now the highest taxing state on developments and to build new homes, yet State Labor are begging Federal Labor to complete projects.
“It is sad now to see Federal Labor joining the chorus to ignore the growth areas and our communities’ need for funding.
“This must change, during peak times it can take as long to drive from Clyde North to the Monash Freeway as it does from Clyde Road to the city – this simply is not fair.”
Both Clyde Road Upgrade and Pakenham Roads Upgrade were identified by the State Government on 17 May as being set to begin within the general 90 days of the review, meaning they will have to be delayed until their future is determined by the Federal Government.
With the Federal Government sitting on the findings, the 90-day review announced on 1 May still has these projects in limbo on this day of reporting, 27 September, 150 days later.
The Federal Government has yet to detail when the findings will be announced, debriefing with State Governments has been reported to commence in the near future.
The State and Federal Ministers for Infrastructure were contacted for comment.
