During the election campaign, Ms Lovell said an elected Liberal Nationals Coalition government would commit $260 million to stage one of the bypass project.
On the first sitting day of the 60th Parliament on Tuesday, December 20, Ms Lovell took an opportunity in the Legislative Council to call on Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan to immediately match that commitment to get the project started.
Ms Lovell also said the government, returned under Premier Daniel Andrews for a third successive term, should fund the Coalition’s pre-election pledge to provide $20 million to the redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports Stadium.
“Both the Shepparton Bypass and the Shepparton Sports Stadium redevelopment are high-priority projects for Greater Shepparton City Council, and the Andrews Government needs to step up and financially support them,” she said.
“The Premier says he governs for all Victorians. He needs to put his money where his mouth is and provide funding to both important infrastructure projects.”
Ms Lovell said the recent flood crisis across the Goulburn Valley saw Mooroopna isolated for days, proving the need for a second river crossing between it and Shepparton.
Similarly, Ms Lovell said the recent floods highlighted the necessity to rebuild the stadium when the facility could not be used as a recovery centre due to the roof leaking in multiple areas and the facility being built below current flood levels.
State Labor has not committed to the bypass, although the federal Labor Government has said $208 million remains in its budget for stage one.
The state government has not committed to funding a stadium rebuild either.
The opening of the 60th Victorian Parliament saw Ms Lovell elected deputy president of the Legislative Council for a second consecutive term in her sixth successive term as a member of the upper house.
