Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said Thursday’s federal announcement of $6.1 million to strengthening Western Highway bridges at Dimboola and Dadswells Bridge comes three years too late while confirming the bridge works would be a bipartisan commitment this upcoming election.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King announced at Melton on Thursday a $1.1 billion investment in the Western Freeway through to the South Australian border, with the sole component in Mallee situated at the two bridges.

“I can confirm that the investment of $6.1 million to strengthen the Dimboola Bridge and Dadswells Bridge will remain in the Budget under a Coalition Government, however it comes three years too late,” Dr Webster said.

“Let’s be clear, within the 216 kilometres of the Western Highway to the border situated within the Mallee electorate, we are receiving just half-a-per-cent -  $6.1 million - of the $1,100 million the Minister committed on Thursday - mostly for a combined distance of 20 kilometres.”

Regional Western Highway projects spent the 2023/24 year under a cloud when Minister King put the $360 million duplication of the Highway between Ararat and Stawell (predominantly in Mallee) through a ’90 day review’ which ended up running for over 200 days. The review delayed progress on:

·         Western Highway Stawell to South Australian Border – Future Priorities

·         Western Highway Stawell to South Australian Border – Horsham Junction Upgrade

·         Western Highway Stawell to South Australian Border – Seaby Street Intersection Upgrade

·         Western Highway – Complete the Duplication Between Ararat and Stawell

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie said: “The Western Freeway is one of Victoria’s most important transport corridors, carrying thousands of vehicles daily, including freight, that keeps our economy moving.”

“The Coalition will get infrastructure delivery back on track to cut congestion, improve road safety and boost Victoria’s economy.”

The Commonwealth government estimates that the Dimboola and Dadswells Bridge upgrades will be complete by the end of 2026.