The ongoing neglect of Victoria’s road network has been exposed with latest data from the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) which provides a rating assessment on Victorian roads.
The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe said that it is no surprise that the AusRAP assessment delivered a damning verdict on the state of many of the roads in the Shepparton electorate.
“We know that our roads are in an appalling condition, and this data is proof that we are experiencing some of the most unsafe roads in the state.”
A five-star rating is the safest, while a one-star road carries the highest risk. Alarmingly, many road sections across the Shepparton electorate have received the lowest possible one-star ranking putting lives at risk.
These include:
- Barmah-Shepparton Road
- Tatura-Undera Road
- Euroa-Shepparton Road
- Katamatite-Shepparton Road
- Echuca-Mooroopna Road
- Dookie-Shepparton Road
- Dookie-Nalinga Road
“Also, major routes such as the Murray Valley Highway, Midland Highway and key local connectors rated poor or very poor for safety.
“Let it be known, not one road in the entire electorate has earned a five-star rating, a clear sign of the ongoing neglect and lack of maintenance and investment in our roads.
“The Minister for Roads and Road Safety needs to address the AusRAP findings, and it is her responsibility to provide safer roads. A one-star rating is an alarm bell that cannot be ignored and is putting lives at risk.
“Safe and reliable roads are not optional, they are essential”, Ms O’Keeffe said.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe whilst travelling on our roads and it is time this government prioritise road safety and bring our roads up to an acceptable safe standard. The current ratings are absolutely not acceptable.
“Drivers are sick of having to navigate the appalling and unsafe conditions of the roads, and they are tired of having to pay for repairs to their damaged vehicles.
“To add further pressure on already tight family budgets, recent Government data shows that more than 1,700 road damage claims lodged over the past two years, a staggering 99 per cent were rejected, forcing motorists to shoulder repair bills that can run into the thousands.
“Years of neglect across Victoria’s road network have left families and businesses battling dangerous driving conditions, costly vehicle damage, with little hope of compensation.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our roads and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
