Local motorists across Northern Victoria will be driving on safer, better quality roads under the Victorian Nationals and Liberals $5 billion plan to repair and rebuild Victoria’s roads and eliminate one million potholes, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
This commitment will deliver a significant boost in preventative maintenance to stop potholes before they occur, as well as boost roadside maintenance such as grass slashing and drain clearance.
The plan will also establish Better Roads Victoria as a standalone agency within the Department of Transport and Planning, to rebuild the engineering and technical expertise that was lost when the Allan Labor Government abandoned VicRoads and axed Regional Roads Victoria.
Ms Broad said she constantly heard from people who were sick of travelling on dangerous roads and paying for expensive car repairs through no fault of their own.
“The state of the roads across Northern Victoria is appalling. Drivers should not be paying thousands of dollars for cracked rims, blown tyres and damage to their cars,” Ms Broad said.
“Too often we’re seeing potholes filled, only to fall apart again the next day. We need to build roads that will last by improving constructions standards.” Ms Broad said.
Just this week there are reports that a man almost died after his car struck a series of large potholes on the road between Bendigo and Daylesford. The impact reportedly caused his vehicle to veer sharply towards the roadside, and he was only just able to regain control. He came very close to crashing into a line of large gum trees.
Residents have raised concerns about dangerous road conditions across Northern Victoria, near Castlemaine, as well as near Marong, and major transport routes including the Calder freeway, Loddon Valley Highway, McIvor Highway, Murray Valley Highway and the roads between Wodonga and Tallangatta, and near Bonegilla.
Ms Broad encouraged drivers to report hazards including potholes, damaged road surfaces, faded line markings and damaged signs. Go to VicRoads’ online road issue reporting system, call 13 11 70 or upload photos to Snap, Send, Solve
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
