By Shelby Brooks
Funding for the $70 million Thompsons Road extension in Officer South has been pulled by the Federal Government to go towards other priority road upgrades in the area.
Federal La Trobe MP Jason Wood blamed the State Government’s “blowout” spending on other road projects in the area, explaining that the $70 million had been relocated to fund the Pakenham road package, Clyde Road package, and Berwick train station car park.
Mr Wood said the State Government had increased the Pakenham roads package from $82 million to $350million and Clyde Road from $50 million to $250 million.
“And for the life of me I can’t work out why the Berwick Train Station car park, after we’ve committed $15 million for that, has come back at $62 million from the State Government,” he said.
“Councils in Maroonda have done it for less than $15 million.”
Mr Wood said in 2019, the State and Federal Government had proposed to split the Thompsons Road upgrade cost of $140 million, providing $70 million each.
“And lo and behold they’ve come back and said it’s a $900 million road project,” Mr Wood said.
“The minister has gone back to them and said hold on the money we have committed, the $70 million is going to be moved to offset some of the other massive road project blowouts. You go back and have a look at your figures and come back with another proposal.”
But Bass MP Jordan Crugnale has slammed the Federal Government, saying she was disappointed they broke their election commitment to extend Thompsons Road.
“People voted for these local projects because it would make a difference to their lives and community. Therein lies the lesson for the Federal Government – just stop blaming the State Government and local councils,” she said.
“Grow up, do your job and don’t say you will do something if you are not going to follow through with it. People go the polls and vote on election commitments and they should expect them to be delivered.
“Am sure Mr Wood will come out and say, ‘but roads are state and local government responsibilities,’ again as a deflection, as the Federal Government have been funding roads for years even have a ‘Local Roads and Community Infrastructure fund’ for councils to apply. Mr Wood won’t come out and say that their election commitment for on ramps at McGregor Road and works along Racecourse Road in Pakenham were not properly funded by his Liberal Government in the first place which is why we have seen it come up again in their latest budget big roads package for Pakenham.”
Back in 2016, Cardinia and Casey councils teamed up to lobby the Federal Government for funding for the proposed duplication and extension of Thompsons Road, providing a crucial link to Pakenham, Cranbourne and Carrum.
The extension was proposed from Berwick-Cranbourne Road to Cardinia Road.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said council was aware of the reports.
“The council will continue to advocate to both State and Federal Governments for funding towards this vital community infrastructure project,” he said.
“This project will assist in providing access to local employment precincts, including the opening up of 60,000 jobs at the future Cardinia Employment Precinct, and will reduce reliance on the Monash Freeway.“
