Residents of Lakes Entrance are rightly wondering why the promised upgrade to the intersection at Eastern Beach Road and the Princes Highway has not commenced.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said in 2021, the previous Federal Government, via local MP, Darren Chester, provided the funding for the upgrade - which was to include traffic lights.

“That was announced and required a 20 per cent contribution from the State, but neither Darren’s representations to the Federal Government or my own to the State Government have provided any update on details or timelines.

“What we are hearing now is the project cost has blown out significantly and the Federal Government is seeking a higher contribution from the State, but the silence on the project is frustrating.

“I have asked the State Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, three questions:

• When will the project be started and completed;
• What is the State contribution;
• Does the scope still include traffic lights as originally planned?

“Hopefully we get some level of detail in the response so we can inform the community of the current status of this project, but my great concern is the silence is reflective that they may not know,” said Mr Bull.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, at the intersection of Eastern Beach Road and the Princes Highway, where intersection upgrade works have not commenced, despite funding being announced four years ago.

Monday, 21 July 2025