State rural road maintenance skids to a halt

Source: Sykes Media Release - 17-09.08

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes has condemned the Brumby Government’s failure to invest in the maintenance of local roads.

Dr Sykes said data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that roads in the Alpine, Murrindindi, Strathbogie, Mansfield and Benalla shires are in decline. This data shows the condition of the road network in all Victorian municipalities.

“Distressed roads are those where the road pavement is rough, cracked or rutted. As such, the length of distressed road in any given area is a measure of how degraded the local road network has become,” explained Dr Sykes.

“The June 2008 edition of State and Regional Indicators Victoria shows the number of distressed roads in Victoria has risen dramatically.

“In Alpine Shire, for example, the length of distressed road increased by 385.7 per cent in the four years leading up to 2006/07.

“In Murrindindi Shire the length of distressed road increased by 388.2 per cent and in Strathbogie Shire the length of distressed road increased by 133.3 per cent in the four year period.

“Roads in Mansfield and Benalla also suffered, with the length of distressed road in these municipalities increasing by 687.5 and 823.1 per cent respectively in the same four year period.

“These figures are a clear indication of Labor’s failure to devote adequate recurrent funding to maintain the state’s road system. It’s completely unacceptable that in just four years Labor has managed to allow our roads to deteriorate to an unsafe condition.”

Dr Sykes said the Brumby Government had ignored successive recommendations it boost investment in maintaining the road network.

“Earlier this year the Victorian Auditor-General recommended that the government commit an additional $100 million a year to maintain our roads to an acceptable standard, but Labor has still not acted on this recommendation,” said Dr Sykes.

“Roads Minister Pallas has been applying bandaids to our roads when what they need is a serious maintenance overhaul.

“Local roads are in an unacceptable condition and need immediate attention. Labor should commit the funding necessary to repair the damage and then maintain the road pavement into future.

“The RACV has proven there is a direct link between improving roads and reducing the death toll. The simple truth of the matter is if you fix country roads, you will save country lives,” said Dr Sykes.