Up to $1bn needed to fix Victoria’s flood-ravaged roads and railways

Flood-affected areas may be hit with higher costs and limited supplies of food going into Christmas if damaged roads aren’t urgently repaired.

Taxpayers face a bill of up to $1bn to fix Victoria’s flood-ravaged roads and railways, a key transport lobby has warned.

With almost 450 roads currently closed, the Victorian Transport Association is calling for a commitment to a major uplift in funding from both major parties contesting the state election, as well as the federal government.

Higher costs and limited supplies of food and other key products are a major risk going into Christmas due to freight network issues caused by flooding, the association has warned.

Current budget commitments for road maintenance and upgrades were made before the floods and a significant increase was needed, association chief Peter Anderson said.

“We estimate between $500m and $1bn will be needed to fix our flood devastated transport networks, which includes gazetted routes operators rely on to carry freight,” Mr Anderson said.

Almost 450 roads are currently closed across Victoria. Picture: Jason Edwards

“This funding must be additional to project allocations in the state budget, and as politicians traverse Victoria contesting the election, we’re looking for meaningful announcements on fixing the damage that’s been done, and we’re looking for it urgently.”

Mr Anderson said mostly state roads had been damaged but intervention from both levels of government was needed because the issues would be felt nationally.

“We are already seeing evidence of how national supply chains have been compromised with farmers struggling to get their goods out of regional Victoria to the ports and on to interstate and international markets,” he said.

“The flow-on effect will be felt leading up to Christmas in the form of higher

consumer prices and a shortage of supply.”

In an update emailed to the freight industry on Wednesday, the Department of Transport said there were 442 roads closed across the state.

Areas of greatest concern were along the Murray River from Robinvale to Wodonga, including Echuca, Kerang and Cobram, and along the Goulburn River between Seymour and Lake Eildon.

Flooding in Echuca. Picture: David Caird

The Coalition has pledged $10bn for road maintenance across Victoria over ten years, while $1.5bn has been promised to upgrade key corridors in Melbourne’s west.

The Andrews Government has invested $5.7bn in road maintenance since 2014, with an average spend of $813m a year since 2018.

Prior to caretaker mode, the government committed $165m in additional emergency cash for road repairs, including for the Hume Highway.

But Mr Anderson said it wasn’t enough and an urgent plan needed to be announced.

John Rowe, chief executive of Victorian Freight Specialists, said he felt bad for drivers and people living in the country, with many roads in bad condition made worse by floodwaters.

“I burst a tyre on the Calder Freeway just two weeks ago,” he said.

“Even major roads are not as good as what they could be.”

Mr Rowe said there was no hiding the fact that damage to the freight industry could affect costs.

“We deliver some pretty vital stuff. Whatever happens the beer must get through.”

Transport Workers Union state secretary Mike McNess said road quality was a safety issue as well.

“There has been little to no funding allocated to road improvements and maintenance from any political party this election,” he said.

“This is just not good enough when it comes to essential infrastructure, and particularly in times of repairing mass-destruction.

“Safe and well-maintained roads keep transport workers and the broader public alive, and essential goods and services moving.

“It is fundamental that we have safe roads that we can all rely on and those in power need to take responsibility to ensure this is rectified.”

POT HOLE NIGHTMARE

Angry motorists are calling for roads to be urgently fixed in Pakenham after their car tyres were damaged by large potholes, costing them thousands of dollars to fix.

In the past two weeks, at least 10 motorists have told the Herald Sun their tyres had been punctured due to large potholes while driving on Princes Highway, Racecourse and Bald Hill roads and other busy roads in Pakenham.

A large pothole in Cardinia. Picture: Supplied

One of the drivers, Pauline, who has a disability, said her two left tyres were punctured by a large pothole on Princes Highway last week, leaving her stranded for hours.

“There are just so many potholes on Pakenham roads, they need to be fixed as soon as possible,” she said.

“When the tyre went down the impact of it really affected me. I have spina bifida and I was in so much pain.

Another motorist, Lisa Dawson, who was left more than $2500 out of pocket after her front and back tyres were punctured and “shredded” due to the damage from a 300mm deep pothole on Bald Hill Rd, Pakenham, said she was “furious” at the council for not fixing the issue.

Dozens of motorists living in Cardinia are being stung thousands of dollars to repair tyres due to large potholes. Picture: Supplied

Damage to a tyre. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun has also found a Facebook group dedicated to the “Potholes Of Cardinia Shire”, which has more than 1500 angry residents sharing images of potholes around the community.

A Cardinia Shire Council spokeswoman said the council had written to the state government asking for action and a reduction in the delay in the completion of repairs to defects in the state-owned and managed arterial road network.

Princes Highway and Racecourse Rd are managed by VicRoads.

A Department of Transport spokesman said recent heavy rainfall across the state has caused significant damage to roads.

“As we start our recovery process we’re working around the clock to deliver repairs where they’re needed most,” he said

“We’re out every day inspecting roads, repairing potholes and clearing hazards – making sure our roads are safe for everyone who uses them in Pakenham and right across Victoria.”

Originally published as Up to $1bn needed to fix Victoria’s flood-ravaged roads and railways