General News
13 January, 2025
Demands for Labor governments to prioritise Western highway duplication
Lowan MP Emma Kealy calls for Western Highway duplication project.
Another serious crash on the Western Highway has reignited calls for the Labor governments to prioritize funding for the long-overdue duplication project.
Lowan MP Emma Kealy and Wannon hopeful Alex Dyson have called on their respective state and federal counterparts to fund the project before another fatality puts the maligned stretch of road back in the spotlight.
"Duplication started in 2013 under a Liberal-National state government and was due to be finished in 2016." Ms Kealy said.
"All these years later, only 55 kilometres of the duplication west of Ballarat has been completed.
"In the 10 years that Labor has been in government, there have been 13 fatalities on the highway between Buangor and Stawell, and more than 120 crashes in total.
"But year after year - despite constant calls from the community to upgrade the road and make it safer - Labor refuses to fund the rest of the duplication to Stawell."
Following a promise to upgrade Queensland's Bruce Highway, Independent Wannon candidate Alex Dyson said western Victorian roads are overlooked for political reasons.
"It's great that there's money for roads, but let's see if funding extends outside of electorates in play for Labor at this next election. I'm not holding my breath," he said.
"There's no doubt the Bruce Highway needs upgrades, but wouldn't it be nice if Wannon was seen as a key seat by the federal government and desperately needed upgrades of both the Princes Highway and Western Highway were on their radar."
"Both of these highways have been overlooked for decades by the major parties because they're in a safe seat."
The news comes after a car and a truck collided on the highway at Buangor on January 8, resulting in the highway's closure for several hours.
Ms Kealy said the incident highlighted the need for the crucial highway duplication without delay.
"Our communities need to know that they can rely on our roads to get safely to work, school, sporting pursuits or other activities, but instead, they are forced to drive on sub-standard roads riddled with potholes and crumbling edges.
"The Western Highway is the second-busiest highway in Australia, with about 7000 vehicles travelling along the road every day," she said.
"It is absolutely critical that the road is safe. Labor must listen to the local community and every motorist who travels along the Western Highway and ensure the duplication between Buangor and Stawell is funded as a matter of urgency."