Victorians are being asked to name the state’s worst roads in a new campaign to identify the most dangerous hazards that are risking lives on our roads every single day.
Launched today by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and Shadow Minister for Roads Steph Ryan, the three-month campaign to find Victoria’s worst roads will seek safety reports straight from drivers.
Victorians are encouraged to submit road condition reports as they travel the state via an online portal in an effort to build a list of the roads most in need of maintenance.
“Decades of neglect has left Victoria’s roads rough and potholed, risking the lives of motorcyclists, car drivers and truckies every single day,” Mr Guy said.
“There have been 76 lives lost on Victorian roads already this year, but Labor is spending less on maintaining and repairing the state’s roads network.
“Meanwhile, the Andrews Labor Government has found more than $24 billion to pour into plugging its cost overruns on poorly managed major projects.
“Only a change in Government in November will stop the waste and mismanagement, with a better managed budget delivering savings that can contribute to reversing Labor’s cuts.”
The State Labor Government carved nearly $200 million from road asset maintenance in last year’s State Budget alone, a 25 per cent cut down to $616 million.
Since elected in 2014, State Labor has also axed funds for targeted maintenance of local roads by abolishing the Country Roads and Bridges Program and disbanded the joint parliamentary committee that had overseen road safety since 1967.
Ms Ryan said Victorian drivers had an important role to play in exposing the problems.
“Instead of fixing roads that are falling apart, State Labor favours a cheap, band aid fix with lower speed limits,” Ms Ryan said.
“We’ll be seeking reports direct from local communities, councils, farmers and community groups as we search for Victoria’s worst roads.
“Fixing the maintenance backlog won’t be an easy task – as the Victorian Auditor-General says, poorly-maintained roads cost more to repair, cost motorists more in fuel and in vehicle repairs, on top of the safety risk.
“Properly maintained roads are safer roads. Only a change in government in November will stop Labor’s neglect as we work to recover and rebuild.”
To submit a road visit the online portal at
