Drive for road funds

OBTAINING funds for regional rural road upgrades remains an issue for the Cardinia Shire.
Part of Tonimbuk Road is to be sealed following funding from the Federal Government, but further funds are wanted for construction of the Kooweerup Bypass.
The Federal Government has provided $900,000 from the AusLink Strategic Regional Program to seal Tonimbuk Road from the Princes Highway to the Jolley Road intersection, and Cardinia Shire Council will provide $300,000.
Bunyip Ward councillor Bill Pearson said he welcomed the funding.
“It’s marvellous,” he said.
Cr Pearson said efforts had been under way for the past 18 months to get a commitment to have the section of Tominbuk Road to the Tonimbuk Hall widened and sealed.
Cr Pearson said the road was in a dangerous state.
He said the efforts nearly failed when the State Government was not in a position to put in $300,000 to equal the commitment made by Cardinia Shire Council and the Federal Government.
Cr Pearson acknowledged the support of McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, who managed to help secure $900,000 from the Federal Government for the shortfall.
The council accepted the funding at its meeting on Monday.
A resolution was also passed to continue to lobby both the Federal and State Governments for funding to construct other projects for which funding was not granted in the recent round of the Austlink program.
The Kooweerup Bypass was highlighted as the major project requiring funding.