Media Releases

The National’s Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has welcomed road surface improvement works on the Murray Valley Highway, near Echuca.

Mr Weller has commended the State Coalition Government for vital pavement repair works in the Rodney Electorate to maintain safety for all road users. 

The works will see major pavement rehabilitation carried out on the mid-section of the highway, 15km east of Echuca between Tehan Road and Fraser Road.

“The $661,000 works are vital in maintaining one of Victoria’s longest arterial roads and once completed the road will be smoother, stronger and have greater skid resistance,” Mr Weller said. 

“These pavement works will restore the surface, ensuring the longevity of the highway and improving the safety of the road for all motorists,” he said.

Mr Weller said road pavement can crack, rut or become potholed for a range of reasons including through prolonged or extreme weather conditions. 

“The Murray Valley Highway is one of our state’s most important routes and high rainfall events after a decade of drought, combined with heavy vehicle traffic has caused significant deterioration,” Mr Weller said.

The State Government works have been provided by maintenance funds and will take approximately four weeks to complete.

 

Minister for Roads Terry Mulder today joined Member for Rodney Paul Weller and Member for Murray Valley Tim McCurdy to visit the flood affected communities of Nathalia and Numurkah to view the extensive damage to roads caused by the floods and recent heavy rains.

Mr Mulder said he was keen to get a first-hand impression of the damage the flood waters have caused to the local and arterial road network and local communities in the north east.

“It’s important for the local communities to know the Coalition Government will support them through a variety of means as they begin the clean-up and recovery phase of this latest flood event. I feel for them and can now appreciate efforts that many staff and volunteers have made to keep communities like Nathalia and Numurkah safe,” Mr Mulder said.

“Seeing the Great Wall of Nathalia is impressive and I commend the foresight of the local council, with assistance from the government, to purchase the wall.

“Almost 350 roads have been closed or flood affected since the heavy rains began on 27 February. Currently more than 160 roads, most of them local roads, remain closed or covered by water.

“VicRoads has begun assessing the damage to the road network and will assist councils with their assessments. Once the waters have receded VicRoads and councils will have a much clearer picture of the repairs required.”

Mr Weller said the community could count on the government to be there every step of the way.

“The Victorian Coalition Government will work closely with the affected communities to make sure repairs and assistance is provided as soon as possible,” Mr Weller said.

Mr McCurdy said these communities greatly appreciate the support the Government provides and would rally behind one another to rebuild once again.

“In times of natural disasters rural communities are famous for coming together and helping each other in any way possible,” Mr McCurdy said.

Whilst today’s visit included the towns of Nathalia and Numurkah, Mr Mulder said the impact of the floods had been widespread, with Katamatite and Yarrawonga some of the worst affected areas, particularly the damage on the local road network.

“The Coalition Government will ensure these roads which are vital to the rural communities are made safe and accessible as soon as possible,” Mr Mulder said.

Victorian Government support is available for anyone affected by the floods. This support may include financial assistance, counselling and possible referral to other agencies for emergency assistance.

Go to: www.floodrecovery.vic.gov.au or call the Department of Human Services recovery information line on 1300 366 356.

 

Member for Rodney, Paul Weller has claimed the proposed draft Murray Darling Basin Plan would not allow the region to recover on the back of its devastating 12 year drought.

 

Following a recent Age report that stated house prices in communities throughout the Murray Darling Basin have fallen by more than four per cent, Mr Weller said the draft Plan “locks in the effects of the drought”.

 

“We should be pushing for the Federal Government to invest in engineering solutions for the environment that deliver the same environmental outcomes with less water,” Mr Weller said.

 

Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said the report into Murray Darling Basin house prices has revealed some dramatic local impacts that will be felt not only by farmers, but also the towns and industries that support them.

 

“Towns like Stanhope and Tongala need certainty in order to grow and prosper into the future – a certainty not provided by the draft Basin Plan, which fails to clearly explain how economic and social factors have been incorporated into its targets,” Senator McKenzie said.

 

“These are iconic food producing areas that have been built on the back of irrigated agriculture where water is wealth.  Now they are vulnerable communities facing an uncertain future,” she said.

 

Echoing this sentiment, Mr Weller stated the draft Basin Plan will continue to choke the dairy industry in the Murray Darling Basin region.

 

“The reduced water availability is expected to see a continued decline in milk production for the towns in this region from the already drought impacted production of 1.8 billion litres,” Mr Weller said.

 

“This figure indicates that the proposed draft Basin Plan will prolong the effects of the drought unless major changes are made to the way we manage environmental flows,” he said.

 

“We should be working towards maintaining environmental outcomes, using less water,” Mr Weller said.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller and Minister for Roads Terry Mulder today announced a $1 million grant for the Shire of Campaspe to invest in the region’s road infrastructure.

Mr Weller said the funding was from the Victorian Coalition Government’s Country Roads and Bridges fund.

“This investment will play a crucial role in helping restore essential local government road infrastructure across the municipality,” he said.

“Our rural and regional councils have struggled for many years to meet the maintenance needs of our road network and this funding boost meets another election commitment by the Coalition Government.
“This funding is essential in helping keep our roads in good repair and safe for all users.”
Mr Mulder said the Coalition Government was proud to be providing the boost in funding to the Shire of Campaspe to help aid in its maintenance programs.

“This program provides up to $1 million each to 40 rural councils annually for the next four years,” he said.

“This is a total of $160 million of additional funds to improve the condition of roads and bridges in rural Victoria.”

The $1 million has been allocated to the Shire of Campaspe to provide extra funds for maintenance and restoration of existing road or bridge infrastructure in the region.

Mayor of the Campaspe Shire Cr Neil Pankhurst said the additional funding would enable the council to bring forward important road works that had been identified in its long term capital works program.

“These funds will be used by the Shire of Campaspe to undertake resheeting works on 36 gravel roads,” Cr Pankhurst said.

Mr Mulder said the 2011-12 Victorian Budget included nearly $601 million for road projects that would deliver significant improvements for motorists, particularly in outer suburban and regional areas.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has joined the Kidsafe Driveway Safety Campaign to increase awareness of the incidence of driveway run overs.

Mr Weller said the initiative aimed to promote driveway road safety and prevent the increasing prevalence of driveway accidents involving young children.

“Driveway run overs of children have a devastating impact on families, particularly when the driver is a family member or friend,” he said.

“It is up to each of us as guardians of children and road users to take precautions to avoid such tragedies from occurring in future.”

Mr Weller said children were unpredictable, naturally inquisitive and surprisingly quick and mobile.

He said their small size, together with the large blind spots behind most cars, meant that children standing or stepping behind a vehicle often could not be seen from the driver’s seat.

“Drivers should get into the habit of walking around their vehicle before getting into it when leaving an area where a young child is present.

“If there is only one adult at home and there is a need to move the vehicle, young children should be safely restrained in the vehicle while it is being moved.”

Mr Weller said most driveway run overs occurred in the driveway of the child’s own home, or in a friend or relative’s driveway.

He said in 85% of cases the driver was unaware that the child was in the vicinity of the vehicle.

“Six fatal driveway run over incidents have occurred in Victoria in the past 18 months.

“46% of incidents occurred between 4 and 6pm and 31% of incidents occurred between 8 and 10am.”

Mr Weller said children should be discouraged from using the driveway as a play area.

“Even if a vehicle is fitted with parking sensors or a reversing camera, children may not be noticed until it is too late to stop,” he said.

“Often, a young child follows an adult outside to say goodbye or to see what they are doing, then moves behind the vehicle and isn’t seen until it is too late.”

Mr Weller encouraged residents to support the campaign by displaying a driveway safety sticker on the inside of the driver’s side car window. Stickers are available from the Rodney electorate office at 26 Percy Street, Echuca.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller today urged residents in north central Victoria to join the debate on new plates for the state.
On Sunday Premier Ted Baillieu announced Victorian number plates would carry a road safety message, which will be selected after extensive consultation.

Mr Weller urged the community to join the discussion and put forward ideas for road safety messages that would help reduce the road toll.

“We know that continual reminders and reinforcing messages are a critical part of road safety public education and what better place to reinforce those messages than on number plates,” he said.

“This is an issue that affects us all – drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and children – and we want to hear ideas from all of you.”

Victorians can submit their ideas from midday Monday 17 October at www.premier.vic.gov.au
The new number plates are expected to be rolled out in Victoria next year.

The site of a hit and run accident involving an Echuca primary school cyclist will be the subject of a joint safety inspection by Vic Roads, Campaspe Shire and Member for Rodney Paul Weller this month.

The meeting has been arranged by Mr Weller in response to concerns raised by community members about the dangerous traffic conditions at the intersection of Ogilvie Avenue and Campaspe Esplanade.

An 11 year old boy was hit by a car at the intersection on June 14 this year, as he attempted to safely cross the road while riding his bike to school.

“The child had dismounted his bike and was crossing the intersection with his father and siblings when he was hit by a car travelling at 70kph,” Mr Weller said.

“Amazingly, he did not suffer any broken bones however it was a very traumatic experience for the child and family involved.”

Mr Weller said since the near tragic accident he had been contacted by concerned parents, local residents and representatives from a number of schools who were deeply concerned about safety conditions at the site.

He said he fully supported the concerns and was working with the community to secure improved safety measures at the intersection.

“I consider it imperative that we do all we can to ensure the circumstances surrounding this accident are not repeated.

“Safety measures are definitely required at this crossing to protect the many children using it to travel to and from school.”

Mr Weller said a number of options for safety improvements had been mooted by concerned residents including a reduction in the speed limit, extensions to guard rails on either side of the intersection and a safe crossing over or under the highway to connect the north and south sections of the walking track.

He said these measures and others would be discussed at length during the on-site meeting on Monday 19 September.

A proposal to construct a pedestrian crossing in the main street of Nathalia has received a positive response from the Moira Shire and VicRoads.

 

Member for Rodney Paul Weller has been working with local residents to progress the proposal since November last year.

 

Mr Weller said he had made representations to VicRoads, Moira Shire and the Victorian Roads Minister Terry Mulder to seek approval of the plan.

 

“Both VicRoads and the Moira Shire have expressed support for the construction of a pedestrian crossing and advised that they will work together to progress the proposal,” he said.

 

“My advice from the Roads Minister is that applications for funding for facilities such as pedestrian crossings are usually developed by municipal councils and submitted to VicRoads for consideration.

 

“VicRoads has suggested to the Moire Shire that the council apply for funding when applications are sought in August this year.”

 

Mr Weller said calls for the pedestrian crossing stemmed from concerns raised by citizens who were worried about the safety of elderly residents forced to cross the busy highway on a regular basis.

 

He said many of these pedestrians moved slowly, travelled on gophers or were vision impaired, and a clearly marked crossing would be of great assistance and comfort to them.

 

“The Murray Valley Highway constitutes Nathalia’s main street and is a very busy highway carrying general and tourism traffic along the Murray River.

 

“It presents as a major safety hazard to pedestrians and the sooner we can provide them with a designated pedestrian crossing the better.”

 

The Brumby govt has been accused of putting the lives of rural Victorians at risk while playing silly political games by Member for Rodney Paul Weller

 

Mr Weller said the hypocrisy of the Brumby government in waiting until the final weeks prior to the November 27th election to announce funding for work on badly damaged rural roads was “quite stunning.”

 

Mr Weller said that he personally, and the Coalition, had been pleading with the government for months to release funding for country roads now falling apart after a decade of Labor neglect.

 

“And now we have the Brumby government belatedly trying to con rural voters with an insufficient funding package when what was really needed was significant funding to enable major upgrades of roads right around rural Victoria.

 

“Country lives have been put at risk as a result of Labor’s neglect of our rural road system.  It is a sad fact that road deaths to the end of October are up a tragic 26 compared to the same time last year.   However this arrogant government has chosen to ignore the safety concerns that have been put before them on an ongoing basis,” Mr Weller said.

 

On September 15th Mr Weller spoke on the floor of the Parliament about the deplorable state of country roads following a wet season and a lack of maintenance over the years of the Labor government.

 

On Oct 12th Mr Weller wrote to the Roads Minister Tim Pallas pointing out just how serious this situation had become.  

 

“While I am happy that we have finally got a result of sorts, it is again a matter of too little far too late.

 

“This is yet another clear indication of a tired arrogant government and the sooner we see change, the  better off all Victorians and not just those in rural areas, will be.

 

It is sad to see country lives being put at risk while the Brumby government goes after cheap political points, and we as a Coalition look forward to the opportunity to provide safer roads and protect rural motorists,”

Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller has called for quick action to slash high grass on district roadsides.

 

“I have had concerns raised by constituents about the safety hazards being posed by prolific grass growth on roadsides, particularly at intersections.

 

“I share that concern, as I travel a lot of these roads right around the electorate, and I have been noticing it myself. The high grass can certainly cut off a line of vision at some corners,” Mr Weller said.

 

He said the other concern with the long grass was the possibility of roadside fires starting during the hot months ahead.

 

“”With the great rainfall we have been receiving and a good spring upon us, the grass is going to continue to grow and to become more prolific.

 

“I am asking VicRoads and where responsible, local councils, to act quickly to get on top of this problem now. Hopefully, the issue will be recognised by the State Government and the appropriate levels of funding provided to enable this work to be carried out,” Mr Weller said.