Lowan electorate
Ms KEALY (Lowan) (14:46): (6478) My constituency question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and the question has been raised by my local road users, who have contacted me regarding the stalled progress of the Western Highway duplication project. This highway is the third-largest major freight route in the nation but also an important roadway for my constituents who live in the Wimmera. Duplication to Stawell has been funded with $365 million allocated by the former Liberals and Nationals federal government to deliver the project, with an expected completion date of 2016. However, the Western Highway has not been duplicated and is instead riddled with potholes and has been the site of far too many near misses and accidents, some tragically resulting in the loss of life. The information I seek is an update from the minister as to when duplication of the Western Highway to Stawell will finally be completed, including when the Buangor to Ararat section will be completed and the cultural heritage planning finalised and when planning will be reinstated for the Ararat to Stawell section.