Road maintenance works in regional Victoria plummeted a staggering 95 per cent last financial year under the Allan Labor Government, the Department of Transport and Planning has revealed.
Data published in the Department’s annual report shows the area of road “rehabilitated or resurfaced” in regional Victoria fell to 422,000 square metres in 2023/24, down from 9 million square metres the year prior.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the damning data underscored Labor’s sustained neglect of regional Victoria, leaving motorists to navigate a network of pothole-plagued roads that are not fit for use.
“This is the government’s own data, and a 95 per cent reduction in essential maintenance means our already crumbling roads are in ruins,” Mr Cameron said.
“A survey conducted by the state government last year found 91 per cent of roads surveyed were in poor or very poor condition, and no amount of spin can disguise the fact Labor has abandoned roads in regional Victoria.
“Our cars must be roadworthy, but our roads are far from carworthy, and the condition of regional roads is now the biggest safety concern for motorists.
Mr Cameron said he was aware of Victorian road crews having to travel thousands of kilometres interstate and others being laid off due to the lack of work in Victoria.
“It’s astonishing that our own workers are travelling over 2000 kilometres to far north Queensland when our own roads are so bad,” he said.
“Why aren’t they getting work here to fix our appalling roads?”
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our roads and Victorians are paying the price.”
