Barton's 'bloody' problem spills on Eden-Monaro

More than just a commuter conduit, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon has recognised the Barton Highway as the main bloodline in revolutionising the supply chain for regional agriculture. 

Fitzgibbon and Kelly travelled the 45km from Canberra to Yass for a feet-on-the-ground educational chat with members of the Valley's Agricultural Industry. 

Agricultural regulations were discussed at length and Mr Fitzgibbon suggested ways to limit their hold on farmer families. He spoke against Free Trade being treated as a panacea and focussed on the importance of supply and demand. 

"Demand outstrips supply during a drought," Mr Fitzgibbon said. 

"Having more markets doesn't necessarily mean more supply. We need market equilibrium and markets with good returns."

Yet all issues came back to the same central concern - the Barton Highway. Mr Kelly and the Shadow Minister referred to the Barton Highway as the 'link' for not only the local community, but the wider region.   

"We need to start seeing Canberra as a regional hub," Mr Fitzgibbon continued. 

"The International Airport will be opened in September and is a great opportunity for the Agricultural industry. The Barton strategically links to the airport and more broadly to the port of Eden ... the Barton would be a priority."

The broader goals of the Labor candidate and Shadow Minister are to create a national network that links the Riverina to the regional hub of Canberra, then out to the port of Eden.

"It becomes more compelling for the Barton to be duplicated and the port of Eden to open up," Mr Kelly said. 

He laid claim to the delivery of the Majura Parkway in Canberra and hopes to complete the connection, linking Eden, right through to Yass. 

"The only way to make it possible is for a viable Business Case Analysis to be carried out," he continued. 

"We need to show how it will create a revenue base."

Despite the Highway being a Federal road, Mr Kelly stated that the road needed to be gazetted by the state government before it could be funded. 

"It isn't on the state's list for funding, it needs to show it has economic value and to be seen as a key piece of infrastructure," he said. 

The Barton Highway Improvement Strategy was the first box ticked in identifying safety concerns, the report presented the damning average casualty crash rate per kilometre of 0.41, 110 per cent higher than the state average. 

The Business Case Analysis would demonstrate financial benefits to the broader region and be the final tick the state government needs.

"No more surveys, people are sick of surveys. The Business model will cost us around $2 million, but this is what we need to move forward," Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey said. 

Despite the comments, Coalition candidate for Eden-Monaro Dr Peter Hendy said his Barton Highway survey has had a very positive response and a high number of returned surveys. 

"As the Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, I will always prioritise engaging directly with the community on issues and that is what Iím doing with the survey," he said. 

"I have been making the case quite strongly for significant investment in building a better Barton Highway, and having direct engagement with constituents helps to make that case."

Local resident Stan Waldron from Waldron Construction had attended the meeting on Wednesday Morning and describes the Barton is a 'game changer' in the upcoming election.  

"The value capture from an expanded Yass Valley will ultimately create jobs growth that will come from the larger region and ultimately expanded port facilities at Eden," he said. 

Mr Kelly alluded to the possibility of the duplication being funded from the $10 billion financing facility for new public works and up-front commitments to get blocked major projects moving.