CONCERNS have been raised by Shepparton District’s Nationals Member, Kim O’Keeffe over the escalating number of compensation claims for vehicle damage due to substandard road conditions in Victoria, particularly highlighting the shockingly low number of claims being paid.
Recent data indicates a staggering 414% surge in these claims over three years, with claims in regional Victoria, including Shepparton, leaping from 80 in 2020/21 to 463 in 2022/23. In spite of this, only two of the 731 regional claims during this period were deemed payable, underscoring a systemic issue in addressing road maintenance and compensation.
The situation is exacerbated by significant cuts in road maintenance funding, with a 45% reduction since 2020, leading to a considerable deterioration in road conditions, particularly in regional areas, contributing to the increased frequency of vehicle damage.
“The Minister’s attribution of road damage solely to flood events is not only an oversimplification but also overlooks the fact that many of the affected areas experienced no flood impact,” said Ms O’Keeffe. “The fact that so few claims are being compensated, despite the clear increase in road-related damage, is unacceptable. Our communities, especially in regional Victoria, are suffering due to a broader trend of neglect in road maintenance.”
