By NATALIE GALLENTI
KOROROIT MP Marlene Kairouz is calling on the State Government to fix the condition of roads across Melton and Brimbank.
Ms Kairouz is encouraging motorists to take action and nominate roads that have become dangerous, fallen into disrepair and need fixing with the launch of the www.FixOurRoads.com.au website.
Ms Kairouz said Labor had launched the website to tackle what it sees as the continuing “short-changing” of families in the Western Suburbs when it came to making local roads safe.
The call came before one man died and four were injured in a two-car crash on the Western Freeway in Melton West on Friday morning.
A green Toyota Camry travelling towards Ballarat crossed the median strip and collided with a while Holden Commodore travelling towards Melbourne.
The Camry was carrying four men, and the sole occupant and driver of the Commodore was also a male.
The front male passenger of the Camry died at the scene.
Up to 11 paramedics were called to the scene, with the injured taken to The Alfred hospital.
Ms Kairouz said Melbourne’s West had copped a decrease in funding of $40 million or an alarming 27.3 per cent.
“The total of Napthine Government funding for maintenance and new roads has fallen in Kororoit from 2012-11 to 2012-13,” Ms Kairouz said.
“Our local roads are falling into disrepair and becoming a safety hazard for motorists because of these Napthine Government funding cuts.”
“Kororoit deserves better than a Government that won’t provide the basic infrastructure that people in Melton and Brimbank need to ensure travel times are effective for business and therefore a strong local economy.”
Melton City councillor Sophie Ramsey agreed that the state of roads across the municipality needed urgent attention.
Cr Ramsey said Melton Highway continued to be a “huge concern” for motorists and required “big dollars” to make drastic improvements, while the state of Gisborne Melton Rd also required immediate attention.
“I think you could name almost every road (in the municipality) … but as drivers we need to be more mindful of conditions and road rules,” Cr Ramsey said.
“Drivers need to be mindful of people on the road.”
Cr Ramsey said every year the council allocated money in the budget to improve roads but it was an ongoing issue and concern particularly with the constant growth and new developments across the municipality.
