Yarra Ranges Council is asking for funding commitments from federal candidates for Casey in the upcoming election.
Council is asking candidates to support a $150 million project for roads surrounding local agribusinesses to be sealed while helping economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The funding would be allocated to designing and constructing 150km of sealed roads.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the Roads for Agribusiness initiative would provide benefits to business owners and their employees, as well as the 1400 residents in agricultural areas.
“Agribusiness is at the heart of the Yarra Ranges economy, generating $701 million in economic output each year,” Cr Child said.
“Our agribusinesses were hit hard during Covid-19 and through the significant storm events our region experienced last year,
“Unsealed roads surrounding these businesses are inhibiting access to farmgates, damaging produce during transportation, and generating dust that contaminates valuable crops. They are also a deterrent for both the essential labour force and visitors alike.”
In 2019, Yarra Ranges Council received $150 million in federal funding with the help of Member for Casey Tony Smith.
Cr Child said Yarra Ranges was home to a large unmade road network of approximately 700 kilometres.
“Every year Council spends approximately $4.5 million grading unsealed roads at a cost of $1250 per kilometre for each grade,” he said.
“Roads are typically graded between three to six times per year, and the effects can be very short-term depending on traffic and weather conditions.”
