Thursday, 5 October 2023

McCoys Bridge

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:24): (294) President, my question is directed to Minister Shing, and I am happy to be guided by you. My question could potentially be for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety or the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, so here we go. Every day hundreds of heavy vehicles use the Murray Valley Highway to move produce from farm to store or factory. Since the October 2022 floods these transport companies find themselves needing to find alternate routes around McCoys Bridge, costing them thousands of dollars extra in time and, increasingly, fuel. Can the minister please inform the house when this bridge will be reopened to all traffic?

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:25): Thanks, Mrs Tyrrell, for that question. That is to my mind a matter that sits very squarely within roads and that portfolio. I do represent in this place that minister, so I am really happy to take that question and to seek an answer in accordance with the standing orders if that is of assistance to you.

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:26): Will the minister please commit to the necessary works to reopen McCoys Bridge to heavy vehicles of over 42 tonnes in a timely manner?

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:26): Again, Mrs Tyrrell, I am very happy to seek an answer for you, in accordance with the standing orders, from my counterpart.