The extended road closures of key transport routes following the bushfires caused issues for communities and response and recovery agencies.
At its February 4 meeting, East Gippsland Shire Council agreed to call on the federal government to have the region’s main highways classified as Roads of Strategic Importance.
Cr Joe Rettino raised the matter in Urgent and Other Business.
Mayor Cr John White will write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Michael McCormack asking for the classification for the Princes Highway, Snowy Monaro Highway and the Great Alpine Road.
Cr Rettino said the bushfire disaster demonstrated how much East Gippsland relies on these roads.
“These highways are not only links between our communities, but they connect us to our neighbours. They are critical infrastructure for our region’s people and businesses and need to be recognised as such,” Cr Rettino said.
Roads of Strategic Importance are noted as roads that connect regional businesses to local and international markets, and better connect regional communities.
The Australian Government provides funding to the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative for works such as road sealing, flood immunity, strengthening and widening, road realignments and bridge upgrades.
Bega Valley Shire Council is also writing to Minister McCormack seeking for the Princes Highway be classified as a Road of Strategic Importance as it is an important cross border link for southern NSW and far eastern Victoria communities and businesses.
Council also resolved that Mayor White write to Minister McCormack in support of Bega Valley Shire Council’s request.
The Mayor will also write to the Gippsland Local Government Network and the Canberra Region Joint Organisation seeking their support.
Victorian and NSW Cross Border Commissioners will be asked to support the move in relation to Princes and Snowy Monaro highways.
Cr White and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Basford were in Canberra on Thursday, February 27 meeting with various Ministers as part of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation delegation on regional and rural issues and bushfire.
The classification of these main highways as Roads of Strategic Importance was on the agenda.
Mayor Cr John White and CEO Anthony Basford with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Canberra Region Joint Organisation Chair Rowena Abbey in Canberra on Thursday morning. East Gippsland Shire Council was meeting with a range of Ministers as part of CRJO regional and rural issues and bushfire recovery.
