Potholes: Drivers left with huge bills after hitting potholes in Cockatoo

More horror stories have emerged of motorists hitting nasty potholes in the outer east, with drivers calling for changes on who should pay for car repairs.

Michael Alger shared these photos of the damage to his partner Tracy's car after she hit a pothole in Cockatoo.

The state opposition has hit out at the government over the “deplorable” state of roads in the outer east, as more horror stories emerge of drivers hitting nasty potholes.

Drivers have labelled Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd, Melba Highway and Warburton Highway as among the worst culprits, while Knox councillors have also hit out at the state of Napoleon Rd and Wellington Rd.

Eildon state Liberal MP Cindy McLeish said Warburton Highway was in a deplorable condition, plagued with potholes and posing risks to drivers’ safety.

“I have been told by Upper Yarra residents that they have never seen the highway in such a bad state. Motorists are calling the potholes around Woori Yallock a death trap,” she said.

Rowville state Liberal MP Kim Wells also hit out at the “unacceptable condition” of Napoleon, Wellington and Lysterfield roads.

“Over the past few weeks my office has been inundated with reports of damaged cars from the quality of these roads and the only solution is to resurface large sections of these roads,” he said.

More drivers took to social media to report hitting potholes.

“My son had two tyres blow out, front and rear on Napoleon Road in the one incident,” Sandra said on Knox Leader’s Facebook page, while Donna said: “Damaged my wheels and tyres last week and also getting my suspension checked – not happy.”

“Had to buy a new wheel for our car at $700. The VicRoads threshold is $1460, what a joke- maybe fix the potholes right the first time so they don’t come back after it rains again,” Lee said.

“Roads are terrible and no one wants to take responsibility. It cost me over $500 to fix my wheel and rim and no one wants to reimburse me for the costs … absolutely outrageous considering we pay rego and rates. Don’t care who is responsible just pay up,” Andrea said.

According to the VicRoads website, the organisation is unlikely to be liable to pay compensation for property damage in an amount less than the threshold of $1460.

A state government spokesperson said it was getting on with improving roads in the area with works on Warburton Highway in Wandin North and Seville, and Wellington Road in Rowville receiving funding for maintenance in the most recent budget.

According to the government, the $1460 damages claim threshold amount was introduced as part of the Road Management Act 2004.

The Act provides for increases to the threshold amount each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

In recognition of the impacts of Covid on the community, the government has decided not to increase the threshold amount for the last three years.

The threshold amount has remained at $1460 since 2019. There is no mechanism in the legislation for the threshold amount to be challenged.

Lilydale man Michael Alger said his partner Tracy was driving home from Warragul last Tuesday when she hit a pothole on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd in Cockatoo.

“She was very lucky her tyre didn’t go flat but the rim was damaged,” Mr Alger said.

“She was very lucky to get home.

“I had a look and the tyre rim was so badly damaged it had to be replaced.

“She was very lucky the tyre didn't go pop and she didn’t plough into a tree.”

The repair bill was about $1000 and Mr Alger said he did some research into how to claim compensation from VicRoads and discovered he would be unsuccessful if he tried to make a claim.

“I think it’s disgraceful,” he said.

Mr Alger said he and his partner went out of their way to avoid Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd at night because it was so dangerous.

“It’s in such a poor condition and it carries a lot of traffic that road.”

East Warburton man Andrew Kane and his wife have both hit potholes in the last six weeks.

Mr Kane also hit a pothole on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd in Cockatoo, while his wife’s new car was damaged when she hit a pothole on Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock, leaving a damage bill of more than $1200, with two new tyres and rims needed.

On the Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader Facebook page, Merrin Templer said: “Warby Highway is like playing Mario Kart at the moment,” thanks to all the potholes.

Emma Rowe agreed Warburton Highway was “dreadful the entire length”.

“Also the Melba Highway from Glenburn to Yea is atrocious.”

At Monday night’s Knox Council meeting, Cr Meagan Baker hit out at the “dangerous and disgraceful” state of Napoleon Rd Rowville, while Cr Darren Pearce said Wellington Rd between Kellets Rd and Braeburn Parade was also in a disgraceful condition.

He moved a motion that council resolve to write immediately to the Victorian Minister Roads and VicRoads requesting they undertake urgent repairs and resurfacing of Napoleon Rd in Rowville, Ferntree Gully and Lysterfield; Wellington Rd between Kellets and Braeburn Parade Rowville; and Dorset Rd and Mountain Highway Boronia.

He said the roads were in an “appalling condition”.

“I’ve been told Beaurepaires is making a fortune out of repairing residents’ tyres,” Cr Pearce said.

“It would be funny if it wasn’t such a serious issue with damage to cars.

“The real risk is there is going to be a fatal accident.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when because of the appalling state of the roads.”

Cr Pearce said driving down Wellington Rd at night in the wet was like playing “Russian roulette”.

Cr Nicole Seymour said some of the potholes were so bad, if a motorcyclist hit them they would be flipped off their bike and potentially thrown into oncoming traffic.

A Department of Transport spokesperson said necessary works would be undertaken on these roads as part of its 2022-23 road maintenance program that will start shortly.

“We will continue to monitor this stretch of (Wellington) road and address any safety and maintenance related issues, as required.”

The Department said under a $780 million investment in maintaining the state’s road assets in the 2022/23 Victorian state budget, crews would carry out maintenance works, including hundreds of kilometres of resurfacing and sealing works, between September and mid-2023.

It said as part of the 2022/23 maintenance program, road users would see an increase in road maintenance activities in upcoming summer months across the state including in the Yarra Ranges, including resurfacing on sections of the key arterial roads.

According to the Department, potholes on arterial roads are typically repaired within 24 hours of being reported by crews or members of the public.

Drivers can report potholes by phoning 13 11 70.

Passengers who believe they are entitled to compensation from VicRoads can visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/