Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, has dodged a question about how many speed limit reduction signs are in East Gippsland as a result of poor road conditions.

“I think when she is writing these responses, the Minister must have either lost her compass or takes us as fools. It is true there was severe flooding in the north of the State in 2022, but not in Gippsland. Perhaps she has the Murray and Campaspe Rivers mixed up with the Mitchell and the Cann,” said Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

He asked the Minister in Parliament:

• How many locations in East Gippsland currently have speed limit restrictions due to poor road condition (excluding road works).
• How does this compare to 2015 and 2020.

The Minister’s response was:

“As a result of extended periods of above-average rainfall with several major weather events since 2022, potholes are far more likely to develop due to water penetrating the road surface and damaging the road base underneath.

“Following these weather events, speed limit reductions may be introduced on impacted roads to ensure the safety of all road users until vital repairs can be undertaken. Once these works are carried out, the usual speed limit on the road will be reinstated.”

Mr Bull said apart from not answering the question, the Minister’s response is completely disingenuous.

“We have not had excessive flooding at all in the period since 2022 and in fact as far as rainfall goes, both 2023 and 2024 were below average rainfall years and 2022 was only slightly above.

“The highest daily total we have had in that time in Bairnsdale was 60mm in January 2022 and locals will remember many times in the past when we have had more than 100mm in a day.

“It is just another case of Labor running out of money on metropolitan projects and country Victorians pay the price,” he said.

Caption: The Nationals State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured at one of the many speed limit restriction signs installed across the electorate.

Monday, 3 March, 2025