Farmers in Western Victoria can look forward to a smoother journey from their farm gate to market thanks to a $20 million Andrews Labor Government investment.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney welcomed the funding which is being delivered through the AgriLinks Upgrade Program to improve Victorian’s vital network of local roads in the region.
The funding will be used to undertake important local road infrastructure upgrades that will increase agriculture productivity and reduce travel times, better connecting country roads to major transport routes and connecting people in rural, regional and peri-urban areas to local markets and jobs.
Colac Otway Shire Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Moyne Shire Council and Surf Coast Shire Council were among 38 rural, regional and peri-urban councils across the state to receive AgriLinks funding.
Surf Coast Shire Council has been awarded $1,050,000 for the widening and rehabilitation of Cape Otway Road from Taylors Road to Considines Road, while Moyne Shire Council has received $620,000 to upgrade Rollos Road & Childers Cove Road
Other projects being undertaken in the region include:
- Colac Otway Shire Council – $533,369 for the Swan Marsh Stonyford Road reconstruction (sections 1, 2 & 3)
- Corangamite Shire Council – $325,000 for the rehabilitation of Terang Framlingham Road
The program complements funding provided through the previous Local Roads to Market Program, which supported 78 local projects along Victoria’s rural and regional agricultural freight routes, delivering productivity and safety improvements for farmers and businesses.
The AgriLinks Upgrade Program is part of the Labor government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package that is getting thousands of Victorians back to work on crucial infrastructure projects around Victoria.
AgriLinks is also another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to deliver on its new Agriculture Strategy. The Agrilinks program is helping to build a Victorian agriculture sector that is strong, innovative and sustainable for many years to come, by supporting producers to be more profitable and ensuring products can be delivered to markets more often
A full list of councils awarded funding through the AgriLinks Upgrade Program can be found at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“Producers, processors and other agri-food supply chain businesses will benefit from being better connected to markets and communities with reduced travel times.”
“Improvements to the roads and infrastructure used by farmers and producers will help them grow their businesses as they will be able to reach more customers more quickly.”