O’Herns Rd Funding Concerns Whittlesea Leader 20 January 2015 Katrina Hinschen Council fights for money O’HERNS RD INTERCHANGE UPGRADE CASH NOT FORTHCOMING THE Federal Government is remaining tight-lipped on its funding commitment for the O’Herns Rd interchange. Whittlesea Council says it has a verbal understanding for funding consideration but the government says it isn’t aware of it. The project needs money from local, state and federal governments to go ahead. The Labor Party’s preelection commitment for the project was $40.7 million but they haven’t announced detailed plans yet. Whittlesea Council had a verbal understanding with the Federal Government that it would consider the project once the State Government secured for the project. The council needs around $35 million from the Federal Government to complete the project. Whittlesea Council advocacy manager Mary Agostino said: “We did have the conversation in Canberra in (Federal Infrastructure Minister) Warren Truss’ office and they said to get the State Government to commit first then they (the Federal Government) would consider it. But a spokeswoman from Mr Truss’ office, who refused to be named, said they had no record of that agreement. “No one in the office is aware of any sort of unofficial agreement or understanding with the council about the funding that they need for the project,’’ the spokeswoman said. “We’d have to look at something formal from Council and the Victorian Government.” Whittlesea Council mayor Ricky Kirkham said the council was in the process of following up with the newly elected State Government regarding its election pledges. “Once a State Government commitment has been secured, a formal funding request can be made from the Victorian Government to the Federal Government to help fund the O’Herns Rd interchange,’’ he said. “With the holiday season coming to an end and politicians returning to their offices, council will be working hard to ensure the State Government follows up on the nearly billion dollars worth of election pledges it made to improve services and infrastruture in the City of Whittlesea”. Prior to the state election, Patron Senator for Scullin Michael Ronaldson said the Federal Government was partnering with the Victorian Coalition Government to invest in infrastructure including the East West Link. But that was scrapped when Labor was voted into power. Should the Federal Government stump up the cash? Email [email protected] Reference
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:49:27 +0000
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