Eastern Victoria Region
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (14:05): (729) My question is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure. Committee for Gippsland, the transport organisation SEATS, Latrobe city and Wellington city all rate the Traralgon bypass as a top priority for the region. I know the Nationals – I and my colleague in the lower house and the federal MP Darren Chester – have all advocated for this along with our community. Citing a previous study, Beth Liley, the then Regional Roads Victoria CEO, said we need to evaluate the impact of the final rehabilitated form of the Loy Yang mine before considering moving towards the strategy. While totally understanding that she is the meat in the sandwich, I want to understand from the minister: will this government provide some funding in the upcoming budget for the evaluation, planning and design of the Traralgon bypass?