David Van (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Victoria had a bit of heavy rainfall in January. These floods have affected millions of people across our country and revealed just how vulnerable our road infrastructure is to the catastrophic effect of our climate. I commend the government on their disaster relief packages. However, communities across Australia, and particularly communities in my home state of Victoria, have been grappling with inaccessible roads, delaying crucial disaster relief efforts. Victorian councils are having to rebuild roads that they had just rebuilt after last year's floods. This is time and funds that our councils can't be wasting.

Our traditional road repair methods have proven inadequate to be resilient. Our approach to road infrastructure needs a revolutionary shift, not merely to repair but to elevate and futureproof against climate change. Traditional methods fall short, demanding innovative, flood-resilient techniques that ensure longevity and resilience. Inspired by international examples like the Netherlands, there is a clear pathway to adopting advanced, eco-friendly materials and designs capable of withstanding floods.

We're at a pivotal moment to adopt green infrastructure, aligning recovery with environmental sustainability. Global case studies spotlight the feasibility of such practices, encouraging us to adopt strategies that meet both current and future generational needs. Embracing this change towards resilient and sustainable infrastructure is crucial for navigating the challenges posed by climate change. Let's build our roads back better for a stronger, more sustainable Australia.