A recent RACV survey has revealed that poor road surface conditions have overtaken dangerous driver behaviour as the top safety concern for motorists. The My Country Road Survey, with over 7,000 respondents, listed several roads within the region among the top 20 for safety concerns.
“The Goulburn Valley Highway from Shepparton to Nagambie and the Midland Highway from Tatura to Shepparton have all been named among the most reported roads,” said State Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe. “The reported safety issues include potholes, poor road conditions, limited overtaking opportunities, and intersection safety concerns.”
O’Keeffe criticised the State Government for cutting road maintenance budgets. “The Labor Government cut a 45 per cent reduction in road maintenance since 2020 and a further $88 million in the last budget, as well as $230 million from road safety programs. Labor is allowing our regional roads to crumble while it wastes billions on city-centric projects.”
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has also raised the issue. Ms Lovell said, “Victorian regional roads are in ruins after a decade of Labor neglect. The fourth worst stretch of road in Victoria is the Goulburn Valley Highway from Nagambie to Shepparton. Labor takes regional Victoria for granted and doesn’t bother investing in roads and infrastructure in the area.”
Ms Lovell said that in a government survey last year, 91 per cent of roads were rated poor or very poor, and almost 2,000 Victorians lodged claims for vehicle damage due to poor road conditions in the last three years, while nearly 400km of roads are speed-reduced due to poor pavement conditions.
The RACV is urging the government to prioritise road improvements and invest in critical infrastructure upgrades.
