Nationals and Liberals to restore $288 million Country Roads and Bridges Program

Residents across the Mildura electorate are set to benefit from a $288 million investment in a new Country Roads and Bridges Program to repair, upgrade and maintain regional roads and bridges under an Nationals and Liberals Government.

The commitment will see each of Victoria's 48 rural and regional councils, including the four councils across the Mildura electorate, receive $1.5 million every year for four years in untied funding, commencing in the 2027-28 State Budget.

The commitment follows the Nationals and Liberals' recent pledge to invest $5 billion to repair and rebuild Victoria's roads, eliminate one million potholes and re-establish a proper, planned system of preventative road maintenance.

Member for Mildura, Jade Benham MP, said the funding would make a real difference to communities across the electorate.

"People across our region are sick of driving on roads that are riddled with potholes and left to deteriorate," Ms Benham said.

"Councils and their residents know which roads and bridges need attention most, and this funding will give them the certainty to get on with the job.

"The Nationals are committed to fixing Victoria's roads after years of neglect and making sure regional Victoria gets its fair share."

Ms Benham said the community had waited long enough for the Labor Government to act.

"This program was abolished by Labor in 2015, but the Nationals and Liberals will restore it because councils shouldn't have to compete for every dollar to fix the roads their communities rely on," Ms Benham said.

"Better roads and bridges. Safer journeys. Less pressure on council rates. That's the difference a Liberal and Nationals Government will make."