Lake King-Cascades Road to be upgraded

23/5/94

Main Roads will upgrade the Lake King-Cascades Road under a works program to be developed in conjunction with local people.

Following his visit to the region this week and discussions with the Ravensthorpe Shire Council, Transport Minister Eric Charlton said $760,000 would be spent gravelling the 71-kilometre road.

The work would involve construction of road formation, improvements to drainage and the provision of gravel sheet.

Another meeting involving Main Roads and interested people from the region would be held soon to devise a works program.

"I want all interested people in the district to attend this next meeting and have a say in the implementation of this program," Mr Charlton said.

"Main Roads is taking on the responsibility of building the road with no obligation on the part of the Ravensthorpe Shire Council.  However, Main Roads will be in close communication with the council throughout the entire project.

"In addition to determining a works program, the forthcoming meeting will see if there are any local resources that can be utilised which may speed up the project or make the money stretch further."

The Minister said that no previous Government administration had made a financial commitment to the Lake King-Cascades Road.

He said the road was an important economic and social link to people in the Mallee region, and in particular districts around Salmon Gums, Cascades, Grass Patch and Scaddan.

It had been an issue since the mid-1980s when farmers in the region bulldozed a road through the area and sought Government assistance in upgrading it.

Mr Charlton said it was the end of a long-standing issue that the previous Labor government failed to address.

He said the National Party Member for Roe, Ross Ainsworth, had also carried out negotiations over a long period to help resolve the matter.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333