Recent wet weather has caused further damage across Victoria’s derelict regional road network, creating additional potholes and dangers for drivers to navigate.
The Nationals Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe said it is hard to believe the dangerous conditions drivers are navigating, or that the state’s annual road maintenance budget continued to be cut.
“Extreme weather is seeing more potholes emerging and significantly dangerous sections of roads and highways going without repairs.
“How bad does it have to get before this government understand that they are putting lives at risk? said Ms O’Keeffe.
“Under Labor, we have seen the annual roads maintenance budget slashed by $380 million, or 45 per cent since 2020.
“I understand driver’s frustration with many reports of damage to cars, broken rims and seals, and permanent speed reductions in place in some areas because the surface of the road is so unsafe.
“My office is frequently contacted by members of the community that are concerned about the constant degradation of our local roads.
“Without genuine and significant investment in maintenance and urgent repairs, roads and highways will continue to deteriorate.
“Under Federal and State Labor governments, we are seeing an alarming trends of funding cuts on fundamental regional roads infrastructure. Victorians are being punished and taxpayers are paying for Labor’s financial incompetence,” said Ms O’Keeffe.
“I am committed to continuing to lobby for adequate funding for regional roads and this government must address the declining and appalling condition of our roads before more lives are lost.
“I will continue to raise these matters with Melissa Horne, the Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Minister for Local Government, to ensure that she is well aware of the impact this is having on our electorate,” Ms O’Keeffe said.