Large ‘sinkhole’ on Echuca Rd in Mooroopna causing concerns for locals and residents

Drivers in the state’s north that are “playing dodgem cars” to avoid major potholes on busy streets are a step closer to smother road surfaces. Find out why.

Motorists that were forced to cross over double lines to avoid a massive pothole in the state’s north has now been repaired by VicRoads.

The pothole was located on Echuca Rd in Mooroopna — just up the road from KFC — where it almost eliminated an entire lane near a pedestrian crossing.

Pieces of gravel and debris were also seen beside the damaged part of the road.

VicRoads have repaired the large pothole on Echuca Rd in Mooroopna.

Mooroopna Anglican priest Reverend Simon Robinson said VicRoads had personnel and equipment arrive on Echuca Rd to fix the “coffin-sized crater”, but left two other potholes unrepaired.

“Why not do the whole lot in one go?,” Mr Robinson said.

Simon Robinson said there were other smaller potholes near the large one on Echuca Rd that were not yet repaired.

It is yet to be known when VicRoads will repair the remaining potholes in the area.

He said he used to crashed through the pothole “everyday” before it was repaired.

“That hole has been there since the October floods — the others around it were eventually patched up a couple of months ago,” Mr Robinson said.

“But now they are getting chopped out again.”

Many community members also thought the potholes in the area were a “disgrace”.

“It’s like playing dodgem cars all along the roads between Mooroopna and Kyabram,” Kyabram local Deborah Ayres said.

Motorists have been avoiding a large pothole on Echuca Rd in Mooroopna, having to cross over the white lines in order to do so. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“It’s disgusting the state of Echuca Rd and the surrounding road in Mooroopna. They have just resurfaced Macisaac Rd along where the primary school is which was very reasonable to drive compared to the potholes all the way along Echuca Rd,” Joshua McCormick said.

“I live right near this — one day there will be a bad accident because of it — it’s been like this nearly 12 months now,” Mooroopna north local Denise Anderson said.

“But like everything, we have to wait for an accident to happen then it will get fixed.

“Bloody disaster waiting to happen.”

“It’s an absolute disgrace — as a driver I find I’m paying more attention to the terrible road to avoid damaging my car than I am to the pedestrian crossing which is in proximity to the main damaged section,” local James Swan said.

“It’s terribly unsafe for any pedestrians that might be crossing when drivers’ attention is elsewhere.”

Mr Swan was concerned for pedestrian safety as the large pothole could be a distraction to drivers. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mooroopna local Sarah Kate also felt like residents of the town had been “overshadowed” by Shepparton especially during the floods last year.

“Mooroopna has been forgotten about and not even cared about,” she said.

“Look how long it took for the sinkhole that was in the main road. How long did it take to be fixed? We have one grocery shopping area which there has been more incidents happening there this year which shows we need more done to make our area safer.

“Mooroopna is an afterthought.”

“They say that our cars have got to be roadworthy but what about our pathetic roads? Are they car-worthy? Not really,” Shepparton local Jotika Gray said.

Other potholes in the Goulburn Valley are also causing distress among drivers.

“My partner did $2000 worth of damage hitting a pothole near the Shepparton racetrack in the dark. He filed a compensation claim and got a reply — with an offer of $20,” Jenni Clark said.

“If possible they could look at holes on Undera and Echuca Rd — this section of road has been like this prior to the floods — they did a little patch up job, never lasted,” local Jen Davies said.

Debbie Annand also said “bandaids” were only being put on the potholes.

VicRoads has been contacted for comment.