THE state’s roads look set to be a key battleground as the Victorian election continues to approach in November, with the Liberal-Nationals announcing an elected government would invest $5 billion to eliminate over a million potholes across the state.
The policy was announced by Opposition leader Jess Wilson and Nationals leader Danny O’Brien.
The plan outlines increasing 25 per cent of current spending on road maintenance, establishing Better Roads Victoria as a standalone division, boosting roadside maintenance and lift departmental and contractor accountability.
Earlier this year, the Victorian budget had set aside $1 billion to fix roads across the state, with 70 per cent of the funding proposed for regional Victoria.
Speaking on local roads such as the Hume Freeway and Goulburn Valley Highway, Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said residents needed more peace of mind on the road.
“Across our electorate, families, farmers, freight operators and local businesses are forced to navigate roads that are crumbling beneath them every single day,” she said.
“Whether it’s the Hume Freeway, the Goulburn Valley Highway or countless local state roads, people are sick of dodging potholes, replacing tyres and repairing suspension.
“When the road damage compensation threshold was introduced in 2004, motorists could seek compensation where repairs exceeded $1,000. Over the past two decades that threshold has increased nearly 70 per cent to $1,681.
“The consequence is that many of the most common pothole repairs, including replacing a damaged tyre and wheel, now fall below the compensation threshold.
“So even where the State would otherwise be liable for failing to properly maintain its roads, many motorists receive nothing and are left paying repair bills that should never have existed in the first place.
“Victorians pay their registration expecting safe roads.”
Ms Cleeland said regional Victoria would benefit from this commitment.
“A Liberal and Nationals Government will invest in the roads regional Victorians rely on every day,” she said.
“This $5 billion commitment means safer roads, fewer potholes, lower repair bills and a fairer deal for regional communities.
“For too long, regional Victoria has been asked to accept less while paying the same taxes and registration as everyone else.”
Meantime, locally, the Mitchell Shire Council says they have been working to fix potholes, saying recent rain had hindered them.
“Mitchell Shire Council crews are continuing to repair potholes and monitor road conditions across the municipality following recent wet weather,” they said.
“Persistent rainfall has impacted roads across the region, with crews working each week to repair damage and keep roads safe and accessible.
“While Council knows road conditions are not perfect, teams are out inspecting roads, responding to reports and carrying out repairs as quickly as conditions allow.
“Council undertakes both scheduled and reactive inspections across its road network to identify and address issues.
“Scheduled inspections occur every six months on link roads and collector roads, both sealed and unsealed, as well as formed and sealed access roads. Formed and unsealed access roads are inspected every 12 months.
“Reactive inspections are carried out whenever the community reports a concern, helping crews respond quickly to new hazards, particularly after periods of heavy rain.
“Council has repaired more than 700 potholes across the Shire this year, alongside other important road maintenance works including grading unsealed roads and resurfacing sealed roads.
“Repairs are prioritised based on factors including safety, road use and access, ensuring the highest priority issues are addressed first.
Community reports continue to play an important role in helping crews identify problems early and respond sooner. Council thanks residents who have taken the time to report road issues and encourages the community to continue doing so.
“As not every road in Mitchell Shire is managed by Council, using our Whose Road Is It? tool helps ensure reports are sent to the correct road authority, reducing delays and helping issues be addressed as quickly as possible.”
