Press Releases

Residents of Sale have joined the campaign to talk down the toll at a community forum this evening about driver safety and the tragedy of losing lives on regional roads. Read More

The Coalition Government has completed the installation of boom barriers to improve safety at two level crossings in Traralgon and Wurruk, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said today.

Mr Mulder said that these level crossings were upgraded at a cost of $550,000 under the Coalition Government's $47 million Fix Regional Level Crossings upgrade program.

"The crossings have been upgraded with boom barriers adding to the previous flashing lights and warning bells, significantly improving safety for people who use the crossings," Mr Mulder said.

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan and Member for Morwell Russell Northe said that they were very pleased with these new Bairnsdale line boom barriers.

“The Traralgon to Sale area has a history of level crossing accidents dating back many years. These safety imrprovements will be welcomed by Gippsland residents,“ Mr Northe said.

The Hunt Place, Wurruk level crossing is about two kilometres west of Sale railway station while Minniedale Road, Traralgon’s crossing is about four kilometres east of Traralgon railway station.

Mr Mulder said that there were 40 V/Line passenger trains through these level crossings a week.

“With Sale, Traralgon and Bairnsdale continuing to grow, it is more important than ever to improve safety between road users and trains. Hunt Place is a key local road connection to the Princes Highway. Minniedale Road, Traralgon links residents with the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Flynn,” Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said that these two level crossing upgrades undertaken by VicTrack were among the first of up to 75 level crossings to be upgraded across the state as part of the Coalition Government's $47 million Fix Regional Level Crossings Upgrade program funded over four years from 2011/12 .

"This program is in addition to the Coalition Government’s ongoing State Level Crossing Upgrade Program. It is part of the Coalition Government's aim to accelerate improved level crossing safety across Victoria. It is important that all Victorians continue to take care at all level crossings, whether or not crossings have give way or stop signs or flashing lights with or without boom barriers."

Further Information about level crossing upgrades is at www.transport.vic.gov.au. Read More

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan today announced that planning for an overtaking lane on the Strzelecki Highway has taken a leap forward, with the preferred location now determined. Read More

A program for disadvantaged young learner drivers in South Gippsland has received a funding boost with the announcement that the Victorian Coalition Government has further committed $10.5 million to the continuation of the L2P driver mentor program. Read More

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan opened the South East Australian Transport Strategy’s (SEATS) first quarterly meeting for 2012 at O’Neills restaurant in Sale on Thursday night.

In opening the meeting, Mr Ryan said SEATS worked well with government bodies, because its goal centered on investment in transport infrastructure, which is a main driver of economic development in the regions.

“The Victorian Government’s involvement with SEATS, along with other key stakeholders such as local councils, road and rail authorities, private enterprise and local community groups makes for a good relationship arrangement, as we all shape the transport infrastructure of South Eastern Australia,” Mr Ryan said.

“SEATS have been proactive in partnering with both local and State governments in achieving an impressive amount of upgraded and built roads over the past five years.”

Mr Ryan said the Government believed in the importance of transport infrastructure as it was vital to creating employment opportunities in the country’s South Eastern region.

“The Victorian Government is committed to growing regional Victoria to create new prosperity, more opportunities and a better quality of life,” Mr Ryan said.

“Regional Victoria now has a more diverse economy with competitive and productive agriculture, manufacturing, professional and consumer service businesses.

“We believe regional Victoria holds the key to balancing the state’s future population growth, and building on our transport infrastructure and networks makes up a great part of that balance.”

Media contact: Ben Bulmer 0437 108 870 Read More

From today, motorists will be represented by Australia’s first independent Road Safety Camera Commissioner as the Victorian Coalition Government continues to increase integrity measures around speed and red light cameras. Read More