Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the Marine Parade redevelopment in Lakes Entrance has been short-changed by $5.3 million by the Federal Government.
Minor work on improved parking and road alignment is underway, but the full safety upgrade will not proceed because Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King has refused to honour a commitment to provide $5.3 million in Federal Government funding.
“Quite simply, East Gippslanders are being ripped off because Catherine King is refusing to release the $5.3 million we were promised in writing by the previous government prior to the 2022 election,” Mr Chester said.
“There is $156 million in unallocated funds sitting in the program which would have funded this work, but Minister King has failed to release the money after more than two years in government.
“The end result is a much smaller program of works which is currently being managed by East Gippsland Shire Council, but the larger road safety package will not be delivered.
“The work currently underway is a good start, and the local contractors are doing an excellent job, but much more is required to improve the safety and amenity of Marine Parade for the benefit of locals and visitors to our region.”
Mr Chester said he had written repeatedly to Minister King on behalf of EGSC and concerned local residents but had not received an explanation for the funding cut.
“Despite repeated efforts to get a straight answer from Minister King, there is no information available on Marine Parade and several other projects which have stalled since she came to office,” Mr Chester said.
“Catherine King is the only Minister in the Albanese Government who simply ignores letters to her office on behalf of local people and treats my constituents with contempt.
“At a time when road trauma is increasing, you would think she would be interested in road safety projects that have the support of the local community, but she refuses to answer letters asking for information and suggesting local funding priorities.”
