The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has issued the state government with a ‘report card’ tracking whether it has met its election promises on transport and what itís done to address crippling congestion on Victoriaís roads.
RACV has given the Government a ‘tick’ for its efforts so far in meeting its election promises, but says that a lot more needs to be done to seriously tackle Victoria’s travel problems, and to reduce Melbourne’s road congestion and meet public transport needs.
Prior to last year’s election, RACV compiled the RACV ‘report card’, outlining its election transport strategy on a public website – racvelectionmonitor.com.au and asked all major political parties to commit to the high priority transport needs outlined in the strategy.
RACV general manager public policy, Brian Negus, says the RACV recognises the State Government has committed funding in its first budget that fulfils, either fully or partially, all its election promises.
“This is a good outcome for Victorians. However, the government now needs to step up and commit to the many critical large-scale road and public transport projects required to seriously tackle Victoria’s crippling congestion and ease the enormous frustration felt by road users and passengers on public transport services every day.”
“Melbourne and Victoria desperately need the government to commit to an integrated transport plan to determine the vision for reducing congestion and improving mobility in Melbourne and across Victoria.”
“It is essential that Victoria has an integrated long-term plan and a priority list of well developed if we are to secure Federal Government funding,” he says.
Meanwhile, the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) is seeking an assurance from the NSW Government that there will be no reduction in road funding when the state budget is handed down next month.
NRMA motoring and services president Wendy Machin says the September 6 budget provided a great opportunity for the NSW Government to show motorists that it was serious about improving road conditions and building new infrastructure.
“This Government came to power on a major infrastructure platform, including roads,” says Machin.
“We don’t want to see any reduction in road funding. Congestion already costs the NSW economy $4.6b a year and is predicted to double by 2020.”
“Our ‘decongestion strategy’ released earlier this year provided 10 ways in which the roads could be managed more effectively in order to reduce congestion.”
“We need to see a plan for the future of NSW roads, which will deliver real improvements within the first term of government. Motorists continue to suffer heavy traffic delays, deteriorating road conditions and increasing costs.”
“The Government needs to match its promises with money and Infrastructure NSW needs to look at creative ways of funding the state’s missing road links, including building the M4 East and duplicating the M5 tunnel.”
“We need to ensure that long overdue projects ,like the duplication of the Pacific Highway, are finally delivered,” says Machin.
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