The Victorian Farmers Federation has called on the Victorian and Federal governments to work together to complete work on the Western Highway, ensuring there’s a dual lane, separated carriageway all the way to the South Australian border.
VFF grains group president Ross Johns said it was imperative both tiers of government worked together, to finish the highway upgrade, as soon as possible.
“Duplication of the highway from the South Australian border to Melbourne is critical to enable Victorian farmers to get their product to market efficiently,” Mr Johns said.
The latest work on the highway involves upgrading six kilometres of the section between Buangor and Ararat.
It’s part of a $672 million investment of the duplication of the highway, between Ballarat and Stawell, funding by both governments.
Mr Johns said more and more grain was being stored on farm, as marketing techniques evolved, and the road network must also keep pace with modern day requirements.
“As a result of the ongoing drought, a lot of grain and hay is moved by truck across the country, but too often the timely transport of this is hampered by unnecessary and inconsistent regulation and indirect access due to an inefficient road network,” he said.
“A dual carriage Western Highway is more efficient and safer for all road users as it will allow for shorter travel times and therefore less driving hours.
He said high productivity vehicles, including A-doubles, needed fit-for-purpose roads.
‘The Western Highway was an integral part of the Victorian road network, connecting Melbourne to Adelaide in the same way the Hume Highway joined Melbourne to Sydney.
“In addition to a modern road network, we encourage local councils to reassess B-double access on roads within their jurisdictions to ensure agricultural produce from all types of farms is moved as efficiently as possible,” Mr Johns said.