Hannah Hammoud
Victoria’s state budget is due to be delivered in less than two weeks, with a looming shadow cast over various infrastructure projects, including the duplication of Mickleham Road.
On Sunday, May 7 Liberal leader John Pesutto led a chorus of support from Northern Metropolitan Region MP Evan Mulholland, Greenvale Residents Association Tamara Nolan and Hume councillor Jim Overend calling on the state government to fully fund a duplication upgrade on Mickleham Road up to Craigieburn Road in the upcoming state budget.
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, the Mickleham Road Upgrade was co-funded by the state and federal government, with $222 million to deliver a 1.6 kilometre duplication of Mickleham Road from Somerton Road to Dellamore Boulevard.
Many are anticipating slashes to funding infrastructure in the upcoming state budget, with fears of delays to the duplication project.
Mr Mulholland said the completion of the duplication of Mickleham Road should progress as a high priority for the government.
“Numerous serious accidents have taken place in recent years, and the longer the duplication is delayed, the safety of the more than 25,000 commuters who use the Somerton Road connection daily is put at risk,” Mr Mulholland said.
Earlier this year, Mr Mulholland used question time in state parliament to ask the state Treasurer to fully fund a duplication upgrade on Mickleham Road which would extend up to Craigieburn Road in the state budget.
Treasurer Tim Pallas provided a written response regarding funding for the Mickleham Road duplication where he said that all requests for roads funding will be considered as part of the broader 2023-24 budget process.
“As with all budget determinations, competing priorities for the use of the government’s limited resources will be assessed in the best interests of the Victorian community, with decisions announced on budget day,” Mr Pallas said.
