The government of Victoria has earmarked $1 billion in its latest budget for the repair of potholes, primarily focusing on regional areas. However, plans indicate that there will be a reduction in both pothole repairs and road resurfacing in the upcoming financial year.
Advocates for regional Victoria are expressing concerns that the budget may not provide sufficient funding to address the deteriorating condition of rural roads, particularly as the government anticipates fewer repair efforts in the year ahead. The state budget, revealed recently, allocated a significant portion—approximately 70%—of the pothole repair funding to the regions.
Budget documents indicate that the government aims to address 74,000 square meters of the regional road network in the financial year 2026-27, a decrease from the 95,000 square meters targeted in the previous year. Moreover, the planned resurfacing and rehabilitation work for regional roads is set to decline from 3.5 square kilometers in 2025-26 to just 2.85 square kilometers in the next financial period.
The RACV’s policy head, James Williams, emphasized the importance of investing in road resurfacing to prevent potholes from developing. He highlighted that the average lifespan of pavement is around 15 years, after which the materials begin to deteriorate. Historically, the Victorian government ensured that roads were resurfaced within that timeframe, but he noted that the current rate of resurfacing has plummeted to merely 2% of the state’s roads annually.
Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien criticized the government’s lack of proactive maintenance on roads, describing it as a “ticking time bomb.” He pointed out that inadequate resealing efforts have led to increased pothole formations, contradicting claims from the government about record funding for road maintenance. O’Brien mentioned that constituents are frustrated with the disparity between promises of funding and the deteriorating state of the roads.
In addition to road funding, the state government has secured a strategic reserve of 10 million liters of diesel to support agricultural needs. Premier Jacinta Allan stated that this reserve would only be utilized in emergencies, specifically when a level four activation of the National Fuel Security Plan occurs. The Victorian Farmers Federation’s acting president, Peter Star, acknowledged the reserve as a positive step, although he cautioned that it may not suffice for a complete harvest if fuel shortages arise.
Regional Cities Victoria chair and Warrnambool City Mayor Ben Blain criticized the budget for lacking significant investment in road infrastructure and major projects in rural areas. He likened the funding levels to being on a restrictive diet, suggesting that the resources allocated to regional Victoria are inadequate.
Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) has called for an additional $500,000 annually for four years to enhance road upgrades and resurfacing. RCV deputy chair Kate Makin stressed that safe roads are essential for rural communities, impacting everything from school bus routes to the transportation of food supplies. She advocated for greater investment in rural infrastructure to ensure that these communities receive the same level of service as those in metropolitan areas.
As part of cost-of-living relief measures ahead of the upcoming state election, the government has also invested over $1 billion in free public transport and car registration rebates.
