Tuesday, 2 May 2023

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (15:34): A number of south-west locals have raised with me their concerns about the ongoing sinkhole situation on the Princes Highway near Yambuk. When I say sinkhole, many regional Victorians will naturally think of the enormous potholes that cars sink into as they drive along our state government maintained roads. However, near Yambuk an actual sinkhole has occurred on the stretch where upgrades are being undertaken to add an additional much-needed overtaking lane. This project was funded in early 2019. That is nearly four years ago. Naturally the community are frustrated and concerned that the state government are taking so long to get on with the job. It has taken nearly three years to simply do the planning and scoping work required for this overtaking lane, which has been the excuse for why we have had to wait so long for the government to get the shovels into the ground. It is hard to fathom that in limestone country the preparatory work did not anticipate this possibility, yet due to this sinkhole everything has slammed to a halt. It is no surprise the community are worried when for weeks there has been nothing happening to fix the sinkhole. I am told the contractors are ready to get the job done, but it appears no plan has been formed by Regional Roads Victoria to get on with it. No wonder the community are worried about the second overtaking lane that is not getting actioned. Sadly, this is so common to see from a government which forgets that it is there to govern for all Victorians. I repeat my invitation to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety and the Premier to visit South-West Coast and view the deplorable and unsafe condition of our roads in regional Victoria. It is time: come.