THE latest Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) findings have confirmed what many regional motorists already know; Victoria’s road network is in poor condition, with numerous local roads ranked among the state’s most dangerous.
The AusRAP star rating system evaluates roads based on their safety design features, where five stars represent the safest and one star indicates a high crash risk. The 2024 results, published by VicRoads, show that not a single road within the Shepparton electorate achieved a five-star rating.
In fact, several key routes — including Barmah-Shepparton Road, Tatura-Undera Road, Euroa-Shepparton Road, Katamatite-Shepparton Road, Echuca-Mooroopna Road, Dookie-Shepparton Road and Dookie-Nalinga Road — were among those rated just one star.
Member for Shepparton District Kim O’Keeffe said the results were a “damning verdict” on the state of local roads.
“We know that our roads are in an appalling condition, and this data is proof that we are experiencing some of the most unsafe roads in the state,” Ms O’Keeffe said. “Safe, reliable roads are not optional, they are essential.”
Major connecting routes such as the Murray Valley Highway and Midland Highway also received poor or very poor safety ratings.
Ms O’Keeffe said she had written to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, calling for urgent upgrades to bring local roads up to an acceptable standard.
“A one-star rating is an alarm bell that cannot be ignored,” she said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe whilst travelling on our roads, and it’s time this government prioritised road safety.”
In addition to safety concerns, Ms O’Keeffe highlighted the financial burden poor road conditions place on regional motorists. Of more than 1,700 damage claims lodged with the government over the past two years, 99 per cent were reportedly rejected, leaving drivers to pay out of pocket for costly repairs.
“Years of neglect have left families and businesses battling dangerous driving conditions, costly vehicle damage, and little hope of compensation,” she said.
The AusRAP Star Ratings for Victorian Roads data can be viewed at vic.gov.au/ausrap-star-ratings-victorian-roads.
