THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on both sides of politics to commit funding certainty for regional road maintenance, declaring the “terrible” condition of country roads has reached crisis levels.
VFF president Emma Germano said years of neglect and underfunding had left Victoria’s regional road network in a “ruinous state and in desperate need of investment”.
“Speak to anyone living in regional Victoria and they’ll likely have one thing in common – their local roads are dodgy and dangerous,” she said.
“More than 50 per cent of all road fatalities occur in regional Victoria, despite it being home to 24 per cent of the state’s population.
“We won’t accept that.”
As part of its “Fair Go for Regional Victoria” campaign, the VFF has called for a minimum of $2 billion over the next four years for targeted arterial road maintenance.
The plan has been supported by the Opposition, but “regional communities are waiting to hear the Andrews Government’s plan”.
The Liberal and National parties announced on Wednesday a $10 billion package over the next 10 years to fix potholes and broken road surfaces across the state if it wins next month’s election.
The plan includes an audit of all state-managed roads and a review of construction standards to increase accountability of VicRoads and contractors.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the multibillion-dollar plan would ultimately save lives.
“The Liberals and Nationals will deliver better roads through billions of dollars in investment to ensure everyone can get to work and crucial appointments, safely and on time,” he said.
“Safe roads save lives. Roads budget cuts have never made sense as we watch our road network fall into a state of disrepair.”
Ms Germano said the VFF welcomed the commitment to guarantee maintenance funding over the next decade.
“Now it is time for the Andrews Government to offer country communities a plan to fix our roads,” she said.
“That’s why I have written to the Roads Minister Ben Carroll seeking his government’s commitment to deliver funding certainty.”
In addition to funding for arterial roads, Ms Germano called on both sides of politics to reintroduce the Fixing Country Roads Program to provide funding grants to rural and regional councils to undertake local road projects beyond regular road maintenance.
“We desperately need funding to help local governments maintain their road and bridge networks,” she said.
“Council roads make up 87 per cent of the state’s road network and represent 10 per cent of local government expenditure. This is putting a disproportionate strain on rural councils that have large road networks, but a small rate base to help fund their upkeep.”
Swan Hill Rural City Council has highlighted the need for greater investment into roads infrasucutre as part of its 2022 state election advocacy plan.
– Peter Bannan
