The state government must release its belated Channel Highway Corridor Improvement Plan if it is to have any credibility of fixing traffic congestion and building important infrastructure projects.
The Plan – which was a 2018 Liberal election promise – commenced in April 2019 and was undertaken to look at how the highway meets current and future needs for the community and was scheduled for release in early 2020.
Labor Member for Franklin, Alison Standen, said the government could not be trusted when it comes to infrastructure.
“The government released a timeline on the Department of State Growth website that clearly stated the Plan would be released in early 2020 and now that timeline has been removed entirely*. The government must explain whether it intends to deliver the project as promised,” Ms Standen said.
“In April last year the government asked the local community for their feedback on the Channel Highway Corridor Improvement to help identify areas for improvement, highlight any safety concerns and make suggestions about how and where changes could be made.
“The community has waited over a year for a response from the government about that consultation process and about the status of the project – they deserve an explanation immediately.
“The Channel Highway Corridor Improvement Plan is a key part of fixing existing congestion issues at the Algona Road (“Fork In The Road”) roundabout, as well as coping with extra traffic forecasted from the proposed Huntingfield development.
“It’s completely back-to-front for the Huntingfield Master Plan to be progressed without first finalizing the Channel Highway Corridor Improvement Plan.
“In the absence of the Corridor Improvement Plan, the Hungtingfield Master Plan is proposing a second roundabout, which is infuriating local residents.
“Local residents are concerned about the lack of infrastructure planning in the Huntingfield Master Plan. They want to see the existing roundabout fixed – the last thing they want to see is a second roundabout.
“The Liberal government’s mismanagement on infrastructure is appalling and it’s time they gave the Kingborough community an explanation on exactly when they can expect the belated Channel Highway Corridor Improvement Plan.”
*The Department of State Growth’s Channel Highway Corridor Improvement Plan webpage has been removed in the past week. However, Labor recovered the page here.
Alison Standen MP
Labor Member for Franklin
