STATE Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has urged Treasurer Tim Pallas to allocate sufficient funding in the May State Budget to fix the deteriorating roads.
Ms O’Keeffe expressed concern over the drastic decline in the road maintenance budget by 45 per cent since 2020, leading to unsafe road conditions and increased risks for motorists.
With Victoria experiencing its highest road toll in 15 years, particularly in regional Victoria, Ms O’Keeffe stressed the urgent need for investment to prevent further loss of lives.
“Without substantial investment in road repairs and improvements to ensure safer roads, the number of lives lost on our roads is likely to increase further,” she said.
Highlighting the economic impact, she emphasised the significance of Shepparton as a major transport hub and the adverse effects of poor road infrastructure on businesses and residents.
“Our second-rate road infrastructure is hampering the ability to efficiently transport produce from my region,” she said, adding, “Vehicles are getting damaged, costing businesses thousands of dollars a month, in addition to out-of-pocket expenses for constituents which they cannot afford during a cost-of-living crisis.”
Recent reports, including a finding by the National Transport Research Organisation, reveal that 91 per cent of Victorian roads are rated as “poor or very poor,” underscore the pressing need for action.
“Rather than seeing repairs, the crumbling roads are subjected to speed limit reductions or warnings,” Ms O’Keeffe said. “Our community deserves safe, reliable roads to support not only daily travel but also the vital economic activities of our region.”
