Shannon Deery: Vic’s crumbling roads could be hole that sinks Jacinta Allan

Every pothole is a reminder to voters of the Allan government’s failure to properly maintain the state’s road network, as it slashes maintenance budgets. Could it be the issue that makes Victorians say: hit the road Jac?

Across suburban streets, regional highways and country backroads the dire state of Victorian roads has become the new political pothole.

And Victorians hitting the road this Easter long weekend will get a first-hand clue as to why state Labor continues to poll so poorly.

The crumbling road network is but one of myriad issues plaguing the government that also includes debt, crime, the health system and third-term fatigue.

But it is emblematic of so much that is wrong with Victoria: a basic problem exacerbated by government cost pressures or incompetence?

We used to boast about our roads, particularly when compared to that of our northern cousins in New South Wales.

Those days are long gone.

Worsening road conditions last year overtook dangerous driver behaviour as the biggest concern for motorists according to the RACV.

Premier Jacinta Allan may lose her posting in the next state election in part due to Victoria’s crumbling road network. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

Despite more than 700 potholes a day undergoing patchwork maintenance, they are coming back faster than they can be filled.

Roads now risk doing to Labor electorally the exact opposite of what its uber successful level crossing removal program achieved.

For years boom gates at level crossings tormented commuters and wreaked havoc with the suburban road network.

The promise by Daniel Andrews in 2014 to remove 50 level crossings was met with scepticism but has since proven to be a masterful stroke of political nous.

The program delivered transformative change across Melbourne and has now been expanded to remove a total of 110 crossings by 2030.

The government has come under frequent attack for prioritising removals based on political convenience over need.

But it’s exactly what they did.

Because through targeting choke points in traditional Labor strongholds and also in key marginal seats, the project cemented loyalty in communities.

In places like Mentone, Pakenham, and Coburg, local pride in these projects translated directly into electoral support.

Victorians hitting the road this Easter will get a first-hand taste of why Labor continue to poll poorly. Picture: supplied

In the west, where Labor has enjoyed almost unchallenged support, these projects were never a priority.

Soon after becoming Premier in late 2023 Jacinta Allan was keen to spruik the Lilydale line as Melbourne’s first boom gate free line.

That’s because the level crossing removal program has been for more than a decade a literal vote winner.

And the legacy of the program doesn’t end with the completion of a project.

Every time motorists drive through a now boom gate free crossing, either under or over a train line, they are reminded of sound policy and good government.

But the billions spent on rail upgrades and new stations stands in jarring contrast to cratered backstreets and the crumbling road network.

Every pothole is a reminder of the government’s failure to properly maintain roads while progressively slashing maintenance budgets.

Just 422,000 square metres of regional roads were rehabilitated or resurfaced, down from 9 million square metres a year earlier.

In Victorian parlance that’s work completed on road areas the size of 21 MCGs last year, compared to 450 MCGs the year prior.

Resurfacing spending was also cut from $37.6m compared to $201.4m the previous year, despite repeated warning from industry professionals.

And why?

The government has long maintained that flash flooding three years ago is to blame. Talk about spin.

Several regional seats could be up for grabs next state election, which could ultimately decide whether Labor get a fourth term. Picture: David Crosling

There can only be two reasonable answers: cost pressures or incompetence.

It is situations like this where Victoria’s eye-watering debt levels - forecast to hit a minimum $188bn by 2028 - become tangible.

If the level-crossing removals made communities feel listened to and supported, the roads make them feel neglected.

And frustration grows when a continued reduction in spending comes at the same time the government is ploughing ahead with its controversial Suburban Rail Loop.

How many roads could be repaired for the undercooked ongoing estimate of $34.5bn for stage one of that project?

Potholes don’t discriminate, they plague safe seats and battlegrounds alike.

The solution isn’t sexy: it’s not a ribbon-cutting moment or a media blitz, it’s tedious, expensive, and often thankless.

But it’s also essential for both public safety and political capital.

RedBridge polling released last week shows support for Labor is lowest in the regions, with a primary vote of just 27 per cent.

In the federal seat of Bendigo, which takes in the Premier’s seat, the Nationals are becoming increasingly confident they can steal the seat from Labor.

Several regional seats could be up for grabs at next year’s state election, which could ultimately decide whether or not Labor get a fourth term.

Or whether Allan is delivered a stern message: hit the road, Jac.