The state government, however has pointed to an investment of more than $4 billion in regional roads since 2018.
Extensive work to repair flood damage on the Hume Fwy was undertaken at the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, however much of Victoria’s regional road network is still awaiting repairs.
State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell and State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland have both recently raised concerns.
Ms Lovell is campaigning for better regional roads by calling on the Victorian Government to ensure their road maintenance program delivers workmanship of the highest standard.
Speaking in Parliament she said there was evidence that the current repairs being completed to Victoria’s damaged roads were of poor quality and called on Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne to order a review of the current maintenance program.
“A chronic lack of funding over many years and now a poor repair program is proof that regional Victorian roads are not, and never have been, a priority for the... government,” she told the Ensign.
“The practice of not properly repairing damaged roads results in regional Victorian roads remaining dangerous for prolonged periods and I call on the Minister to order a review of the current road maintenance program.”
A Victorian Government Spokesperson said that there has been considerable investment into regional roads, which is ongoing.
"Only Labor is delivering the largest road maintenance program in Victoria’s history – with more than $4 billion into renewing and maintaining the state’s roads since 2018, the spokesperson said.
"It includes rebuilding, resurfacing and repairing more than 2430 kilometres of the state’s roads, with 1800 kilometres of roads across regional Victoria during the 2020-21 financial year.
"We’re also working hard to repair the state’s roads following the devastating floods last year.
“Crews are currently delivering the repairs as part of our $165 million emergency repair blitz.”
Ms Cleeland said there is now also an issue with drivers seeking compensation for vehicle damage caused by regional roads.
She said claims made to Regional Roads Victoria and VicRoads are facing considerable delays, with impacted drivers unable to receive assistance or compensation within a reasonable timeframe.
“The wait times that people are going through are simply unacceptable,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Not only has the Labor Government left these roads in a dire state, but now people impacted by the poor roads are unable to get the compensation they deserve.”
Ms Cleeland said one constituent had been waiting for months to hear back from Regional Roads Victoria after their vehicle was damaged while driving from Avenel to Shepparton.
“Despite a few follow ups, there has been no decision or outcome provided to me of this claim,” the constituent told Ms Cleeland.
“I have been told it can take up to eight weeks to process the claims due to high volume. The eight weeks has well passed.
“I followed up again to be told I will need to wait for a phone call back from the claims department as they must be still investigating.
“It will soon be four months since the claim was lodged.”
Ms Cleeland said the government needs to immediately announce more funding to get roads across the electorate of Euroa fixed and reverse its $215 million budget cut from the last two years.
“Our roads can’t wait till the budget in May, this needs to happen now,” she said.
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