State government will pump $1 billion to upgrade deteriorating regional roads in Victoria

ALMOST $1 billion dollars will be pumped into repairing Victoria’s worst regional roads.

ALMOST $1 billion dollars will be pumped into repairing Victoria’s roads.

And a new regional roads body will be created within VicRoads, based in Ballarat, to oversee large portions of the spending.

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A new regional roads body will be created within VicRoads, based in Ballarat, to oversee large portions of the spending. Photo: Dannika Bonser

The new body will have up to 20 dedicated staff, including eight to 10 who will man a new country roads call centre.

The State Government has promised more than 1000km of road wills be repaired, resurfaced or rebuilt through the new Regional Roads Victoria.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said roads package, to be included in next week’s Budget,

“There is 20,500km of regional and country roads to care for, to ensure they’re up to scratch, to ensure they’re fit for purpose, to support industry and education alike,” Mr Donnellan said.

“That is why setting up Regional Roads Victoria is so important — so we can have a specific focus Victoria wide.”

Mr Donnellan said 60 per cent of Victorians killed on the road died in country areas.

“That is simply not acceptable,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the roads maintenance blitz was “the biggest boost to country roads that our state has ever seen”.

“This is an unprecedented investment because we know and understand how important it is to have a better regional road network for safety, for productivity and jobs,” he said.

The Victorian Auditor-General warned last year that the condition of state’s roads were worsening and presented a risk to public safety.

The report found more than 10 per cent of roads were considered to be in very poor condition, with that figure likely to reach 50 per cent by 2025.

Months later, the government announced a new online portal where drivers could search for potholes.

The report found more than 10 per cent of roads were considered to be in very poor condition, with that figure likely to reach 50 per cent by 2025. Picture: Nicole Garmston

THE ROADS PACKAGE ANNOUNCED TODAY INCLUDES:

• $333 million for Regional Roads Victoria to maintain 1000km of regional roads;

• $100 million in grants to regional and rural councils through the Fixing Country Roads program;

• $229 million to target high-risk roads with the Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan;

• $98 million to plan a new bypass on the Western Freeway at Beaufort and Ararat;

• $40 million to upgrade the Princes Highway between Colac and the South Australian border;

• upgrades to sections of the Calder, Hamilton and Kiewa Valley Highway;

• upgrades to intersections along Ballarat’s Sturt St, between Pleasant St and Dyson Dr; and

• a new roundabout for the Shepparton Alternative Route.

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