Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has accused the Victorian Labor Government of gambling with the safety and lives of Gippslanders and visitors by failing to act on long-overdue upgrades to the Mallacoota–Genoa Road, despite $10 million in federal funding being secured four years ago.
Mr Chester said the road, which was identified as a top priority by the local community following the 2019–20 bushfires, remained unsafe and increasingly degraded, with no substantive works undertaken by the State Government.
“It is utterly unacceptable that four years after securing $10 million for critical safety upgrades, the only action taken by the State Government has been painting lines on the road and running an expensive consultation process,” Mr Chester said.
“The latest update on the Department of Transport website is a masterclass in bureaucracy dressed up as progress.
“According to the Department, it has completed ‘technical studies’, ‘preliminary designs’, ‘environmental and cultural heritage investigations’, and ‘economic evaluations’.
“Now they say they’re ‘finalising detailed designs’ and ‘working closely with government departments to obtain approvals and offsets’.
“These processes have apparently swallowed more than four years, and still, no work has begun.”
Mr Chester said the Department’s projected timeline was beyond belief.
“The killer line is buried at the end: ‘We expect construction to start in the second half of 2026 and be completed in 2027’,” Mr Chester said.
“So after four years of delays, they still can’t say when construction will actually begin – it’s farcical,” he said.
“Gippslanders are sick of the excuses; they just want to see work start.
“This lack of urgency from the Victorian Labor Government is a disgrace, particularly when they don’t have to spend a cent of their own money.”
Mr Chester said the Government’s inaction was putting road users at risk.
“The Mallacoota–Genoa Road is vital for locals, tourists, and emergency services, yet it continues to deteriorate,” he said.
“The State Government’s incompetence is compromising safety every single day.
“I will keep fighting for this upgrade because the people of East Gippsland deserve safe, reliable roads, not endless delays, spin and empty promises.”
