Coalition would spend more on roads and infrastructure if elected
Two projects are set to receive funding in the Murraylands, and another new program will be introduced, if the Liberals are elected on May 3.
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A Coalition government would spend millions more on roads and infrastructure projects in Barker, Liberal MP Tony Pasin says.
If elected this Saturday, the Liberals have pledged an extra $14.5 million for roads in Barker alone, and to spend an additional $250 million on regional infrastructure projects across the country.
The Roads to Recovery program currently delivers funding to fix local roads and support councils to construct and maintain road assets.
Mr Pasin said an additional investment in the program would result in nearly $4 million more spending on roads in Barker over the next four years.
Combined with a $1 billion investment in the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program and $600 million for an Ag and Mining Roads program, the benefits to the electorate would likely almost triple, he suggested.
“A strength of the Roads to Recovery program is the flexibility it provides to local governments,” Mr Pasin said.
"Councils are responsible for choosing road projects on which to spend their Roads to Recovery funding, based on their local priorities.”
Mr Pasin said many councils were under increasing financial pressures as the local government sector took on more responsibilities.
The Rural City of Murray Bridge budgeted more than $2 million for its sealed road renewal program in its 2024-25 budget.
Bringing back the Building Better Regions Fund
Mr Pasin also announced a Liberal government would bring back the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) with a $250 million investment in 2025-26.
The program was designed to deliver funding for regional infrastructure projects and community development activities.
It was discontinued by the current federal government in 2022.
Between 2017 and 2022, the fund delivered multiple projects in the Murraylands, including:
- $1.5 million to a Sturt Reserve Wharf upgrade
- $1.35 million to the Sturt Reserve recreation precinct and boat ramp
- $339,000 to the Murray Bridge Golf Course and community clubroom redevelopment
- Almost $500,000 towards Murray Bridge's regional rowing facility
Mr Pasin said the Building Better Regions Fund would help strengthen local economies and create more local jobs.
“The Albanese (Labor) government axed this program as part of $10 billion worth of regional programs stripped away when Labor was elected and imposed a two-year funding drought for the regions,” he said.
“The re-established fund will invest in community initiatives, events and infrastructure projects that drive regional economic growth.”
The program would be solely open to regional, rural and remote communities.
New Ag Road program would be delivered
An elected Liberal government would also work with truck and freight representatives to identify priority roads in need of an upgrade.
The party committed $600 million to deliver a new ag road funding program to help regional growth.
The program would be delivered over four years and invest in sealing, widening and strengthening roads, highways and bridges.
“This will make it easier to transport products from regions like Barker to the processors, supermarket shelves or to port for export overseas,” Mr Pasin said.
Early voting has already started ahead of the election, which will be held this Saturday, May 3.
