LIBERAL Member for Northern Victoria has demanded that the State Government end the constant delays to three long-overdue intersection upgrades on Numurkah Road and order construction to begin immediately.
“All three intersections are critical to the safe passage of vehicles moving through Shepparton, and all have full funding available for upgrades – yet the Allan Labor Government has delayed the start of construction for all three intersections,” said Ms Lovell.
The Ford Road/Wanganui Road intersection, which was allocated funding in the 2017-18 State Budget as part of a $10.2M package to prepare for the Shepparton Bypass. $7.6M was set aside for preconstruction works and an upgrade of the intersection at Ford Road and Wanganui Road, which was reported to include a roundabout.
The 2025-26 budget papers show that $5.2M remains to be spent on the project in this financial year, with a slated completion date of the first quarter of 2026-27. However, it seems impossible that the project will finish on time, because construction has not even started, and the completion date is only a few months away.
The Graham Street intersection serves as the access road for ambulances and cars to approach the hospital, and it is vital for the safe movement of ambulances and other traffic that this intersection is upgraded as soon as possible.
Funding has been available to upgrade and signalise the Graham Street intersection with Numurkah Road since the state government provided $700,000 for the project in the 2022–23 state budget, followed by $2.2M from the Commonwealth government in the 2024-25 federal budget.
The Hawkins Street intersection with Goulburn Valley Highway received $5M from the Federal Government in March last year, and work has not started.
“Residents of Shepparton have waited years for these upgrades. Labor’s Minister for Roads must stop the excuses and order construction to begin immediately on these long-overdue intersection upgrades in Shepparton,” said Ms Lovell.
“Labor’s latest budget was themed ‘Doing What Matters Most’ – delaying the start of these crucial projects proves once again that Shepparton doesn’t matter to the Labor government.”
