Drouin's roads and infrastructure were the main focus when Member for Monash Mary Aldred hosted Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie in Drouin recently.
"Roads and infrastructure investment is absolutely critical for Drouin," Ms Aldred said.
"I was able to secure a commitment under a Coalition Government to upgrade the Weebar Road roundabout, and I'll keep pushing to get it delivered, along with other local priorities."
Sen McKenzie visited the Weebar Rd roundabout in October last year to announce a $4.2 million funding commitment to the project if the Coalition was elected to government.
As part of Sen McKenzie's visit, Ms Aldred hosted an infrastructure and agribusiness discussion at Baw Baw Shire Council offices with mayor Danny Goss and Gippsland Jersey co-founder Sallie Jones.
Ms Aldred said she would continue to be relentless about fighting for the support and infrastructure local farmers needed to secure a strong future in the region.
Ms Jones said reliable roads and infrastructure kept regional businesses operational.
"Reliable roads, power and internet are essential for Gippsland Jersey. Without them, deliveries slow, milk can't stay cold, and orders stop — high-quality infrastructure keeps regional businesses like ours running and competitive," she said.
Sen McKenzie said a continued focus on housing affordability for regional Australia was a priority.
"State and federal Labor governments are failing to address housing shortages in the regions and is expecting communities to wear the cost of economic development," she said.
"The Coalition took innovative policies to the last election which would have unlocked new housing developments and stimulated economic development opportunities in areas like Drouin and Warragul, including a $5 billion infrastructure fund to build the roads and connect power, water and sewerage needed to enable developments to progress, which our country councils cannot afford to fund."
Sen McKenzie said the Coalition would continue to engage with regional councils and communities on the policies needed to fix roads, invest in infrastructure and "help Australian families realise the dream of owning their own home."