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Roads | August 15, 2023

Road maintenance abandoned in broke Vic

Road resurfacing and maintenance activities have virtually been abandoned by the Andrews Labor Government as Victoria’s financial woes worsen.

Road’s performance measures in the 2023-2024 budget continue “to be confirmed”, with Labor refusing to divulge the actual target.

Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy said the Lowan electorate was home to some of the state’s worst roads.

“There are potholes, crumbling roadsides and compromised surfaces on almost every state government managed road in western Victoria, and the Western Highway from Ararat to the South Australian border is an absolute disgrace,” she said.

“Labor’s pothole patching program is cheap, temporary, and totally ineffective.

“Under Labor we are facing a cost-of-living crisis, and mismanagement of Victoria’s road network means locals are paying the price, with blown tyres, broken rims and in worse case scenarios, major collisions and personal injury caused by loss of control.”

TAC statistics show lives lost in 2023 is already up 25 per cent, with a whopping 60 per cent of these deaths occurring outside of Melbourne in provincial towns and on rural roads.

“Our cars have to be roadworthy, yet our regional roads are neither safe nor car worthy, and sadly this is confirmed in road crash statistics,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Andrews Government is drowning it debt from its Melbourne centric bungled big build and it’s scrambling to cut a dollar from anywhere it can, with regional Victoria its main target.

“It’s a shocking indictment that Labor is budgeting less on our road maintenance now than 10 years ago – when you factor in inflation, it’s track record is a disgrace.

“Labor must immediately reverse this terrible decision to slash the road resurfacing program.

“Just fix our roads and make them safe.”