State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed has called on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to splash cash in the state’s regions to fix crumbling roads.
In Parliament this week, Ms Sheed said Victoria’s rural and regional roads were in a poor condition and a regional and rural roads repair “blitz” was desperately needed.
Ms Sheed said regional Victoria deserved the same level of attention metropolitan Melbourne received.
“Many of Victoria’s rural and regional roads are in a poor condition,” Ms Sheed said.
“They have suffered significant damage and repairs are desperately needed.
“Even major highways such as the Goulburn Valley Hwy and the Hume Fwy between Shepparton and Melbourne have significant areas of road damage, with potholes not usually seen on roads of such national importance.”
Mr Andrews set out in detail the Victorian Government’s seasonal and regional road maintenance blitz in June and conceded there would be more work to do on regional roads.
Speaking after Parliament, Ms Sheed said she drove on the major highways weekly and saw the damage to roads first-hand.
“While I can see repairs are being carried out on our regional and rural roads, there is still significant damage that could cause accidents, injuries, or damage to vehicles,” she said.
“Fixing regional and rural roads benefits all Victorians, as we all use these roads.”
Ms Sheed said more needed to be done.
“I want the entire road network across regional and rural Victoria to be repaired to a high standard to make our roads safe for all users,” she said.
“This is an issue I am passionate about, and I will be making this a key part of my forthcoming election campaign.”