The Albanese and Allan Labor governments are improving passenger travel and increasing efficiencies in the movement of freight for Australia's largest dairy production area, as work begins on the Dairy Supply Chain Road Upgrades.
There will be upgrades to a total of six kilometres of roads along Cobden-Stonyford Road, Bullaharre, and Princes Highway West at Pirron Yallock.
The upgrades include improved road surfaces, new safety barriers, and enhanced signage and line markings.
Together, these improvements will support local agricultural activities and provide more efficient and reliable transport routes for dairy products to both domestic and international markets.
Works to upgrade two sections of Cobden-Stonyford Road totalling three kilometres began in late November between Evans Road, Cobden and Shenfields Lane, Bullaharre.
Planning is underway for the upgrade of about three kilometres of Princes Highway West at Pirron Yallock.
The $37.7 million Dairy Supply Chain Road Upgrades is jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan Labor governments, with the Albanese Government contributing $18.9 million and the Allan Government $18.8 million.
As stated by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Dairy Supply Chain Road network in Victoria's southwest facilitates the daily transport of 24 per cent of the nation's milk production, with 392,000 cows producing 2.05 billion litres of milk annually across over 1,000 farms.
"These works will also cater for future growth in passenger vehicle volumes and a predicted 20 per cent growth in freight vehicle volumes over the next 25 years, driven by the tourism, dairy and other commodity sectors in the southwest of Victoria."
As stated by Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne:
"These vital upgrades will make travel smoother and more reliable for everyone in southwest Victoria, especially the hardworking dairy producers who help drive our state's economy.
"By investing in better roads, we're supporting local jobs and ensuring our world-class dairy products reach markets safely and efficiently."
As put by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:
"Victoria's dairy industry contributes significantly to Australia's agricultural output, which is why these upgrades matter.
"A safe and secure supply chain helps connect Victoria's dairy farms to markets helping support local jobs and regional economies."
As stated by Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence:
"A strong dairy supply chain is essential to our economy and to the communities that rely on it.
"By investing in the infrastructure that connects farms to processors and markets, we're helping our dairy industry remain productive, competitive and reliable, from the paddock right through to domestic and international consumers."
