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Roads | April 20, 2022

New campaign to expose Victoria’s worst roads

Victorians are being asked to name the state’s worst roads in a new campaign to identify the most dangerous hazards that are risking lives on our road network every day.

Launched this week by Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and Shadow Minister for Roads Steph Ryan, the three-month campaign to find Victoria’s worst roads will give drivers the opportunity to submit safety reports that will then be presented to the Minister for Roads.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the condition of local roads was the number one issue constituents raised with her.

She is encouraging all local residents to submit a road condition report as they travel the region via the online portal at vicsworstroad.vote

“Decades of neglect has left Victoria’s roads rough and potholed, risking the lives of motorcyclists, car drivers and truckies every single day,” Ms Kealy said.

“There have been 76 lives lost on Victorian roads already this year, but Labor is spending less on maintaining and repairing the state’s roads network, instead pouring more than $24 billion into plugging its cost over-runs on poorly managed major projects.

“The waste and mismanagement has to stop, and this will only happen with a change of government in November.”

The State Labor Government carved nearly $200 million from road asset maintenance in last year’s State Budget alone, a 25 per cent cut down to $616 million.

Since elected in 2014, State Labor has also axed funds for targeted maintenance of local roads by abolishing the Country Roads and Bridges Program and disbanding the joint parliamentary committee that had overseen road safety since 1967.

Ms Kealy said Victorian drivers had an important role to play in exposing the problems.

“Instead of fixing roads that are falling apart, State Labor favours a cheap, band aid fix with lower speed limits,” Ms Kealy said.

“We will be seeking reports direct from local communities, councils, farmers and community groups as we search for Victoria’s worst roads.

“Fixing the maintenance backlog won’t be easy. As the Victorian Auditor-General has said, on top of the safety risk they pose, poorly maintained roads also cost more to repair and cost motorists more in fuel and in vehicle repairs.

“Properly maintained roads are safer roads.

“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will stop Labor’s neglect as we work to recover and rebuild.”