The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, is urging the State Government to ditch band-aid fixes and take real action to repair crumbling roads in the Latrobe Valley.
Following recent heavy rainfall, already dangerous roads across the region have become more hazardous and poorly patched potholes have been exposed.
“People have reported sustaining serious damage to their vehicles because of the state of our roads, but ridiculously the threshold for compensation from VicRoads is $1500,” Mr Cameron said.
“More seriously, there have been 135 lives lost on regional roads this year – an increase of 22% from last year.
“Yet at a time when regional roads need more work than ever, Labor has cut more than $260 million from road maintenance funding.”
Mr Cameron recently wrote to the Minister for Roads regarding the state of Hazelwood Road after hearing concerns about its uneven surface, broken edging and dangerous water pooling.
“People who have used Hazelwood Road for 10 years tell me there have been signs warning of ‘rough surface’ for some 5 years, yet no attempt has been made in that time to actually repair the road,” Mr Cameron said.
“In response, the Minister for Roads dismissed these valid concerns and said: ‘the condition of [Hazelwood Road] is generally considered comparable to other similar roads within the Gippsland region’.
“Given Gippsland is home to some of the worst roads in the state, the assertion that Hazelwood Road is on par with others in the region is of very little comfort.
“Instead of telling motorists to drive to the conditions on a rapidly deteriorating network of roads, the State Government needs to get serious about ensuring the safety of regional Victorians.”
