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Extra funding to fix potholes was welcome but not a permanent fix, according to Warrnambool Mayor and Regional Cities Victoria Chair, Cr Ben Blain.
This week the Victorian Government announced it would commit an extra $352 million in road funding to fill double the number of potholes from 250,000 to 500,000.
The additional funding adds to the Government’s existing $1.04 billion 2026–27 road maintenance program, taking reported expenditure for the year to about $1.392 billion.
“This is an overdue acknowledgement of the poor condition of regional roads,” Cr Blain said.
“However, the deterioration of regional Victoria’s road network is the consequence of sustained underinvestment and cannot be addressed through a short-term pothole repair blitz alone.
“Regional Cities Victoria will continue to advocate for a $2 billion Regional Roads Package over four years, comprising an additional $500 million per annum above existing road maintenance expenditure for the regional road network.
Most additional repairs are expected to occur between now and January, with major arterials and high-use regional roads identified as priorities. Roads referenced in reporting include the Geelong Ring Road, Western Highway, Calder Highway and Princes Highway.
The Coalition has previously announced a $5 billion road maintenance commitment.
RCV will continue to advocate for a $2 billion Regional Roads Package over four years, comprising an additional $500 million per annum above existing road maintenance expenditure for the regional road network.
Based on the current $1.04 billion annual maintenance baseline, RCV’s proposal would represent approximately $6.16 billion in total investment over four years if the baseline were maintained.
