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THE Victorian Auditor-General has called on VicRoads to do better, after finding the deteriorating state road network it manages “presents a growing risk to public safety.”
A report, released on Thursday, described an “increasing proportion” of the state’s 24,000 kilometres of freeways and arterial roads as being in “very poor condition”.
In addition to posing a safety risk, the auditor-general said the roads in poor condition were more expensive to maintain and repair.
“Not enough funding is allocated to road maintenance to sustain the road network, but VicRoads also cannot demonstrate clearly that it is making the best use of its existing maintenance funds,” the report stated.
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It described a road backlog in road maintenance and a reactive approach, which failed to keep up with the rate of deterioration.
The report recommended VicRoads change its strategies and processes to better keep track of and improve road pavement condition, instead of performing maintenance “only when it becomes critical.”
“Without a strategic approach to road pavement maintenance, road conditions will continue to deteriorate and VicRoads will find it increasingly harder to maintain the entire network in a functional condition,” the report stated.
The report confirmed what Kemp’s Freight owner John Kemp already knew.
“It’s shocking,” he said.
He said he’d seen the condition of the roads he travels worsen in the 17 years he’d owned the business – a deterioration that’s taken its toll on the wheels and tyres of his truck.
“They’re not spending the money on [the roads] – it’s just ridiculous,” Mr Kemp said.
VicRoads chief executive officer John Merritt acknowledged the Auditor-General’s findings and recommendations.
“This audit reflects a past approach and we are well advanced in a reform program that is transforming the way we plan and deliver road maintenance across Victoria,” he said.
“The 2017-18 state budget funding, which doubles expenditure for road pavement maintenance, was based on recommendations developed by us, using our new pavement management approach.”
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The new approach includes a community engagement program, which will visit the Loddon Campaspe area next month.
Discussing the future of the McIvor Highway will be high on the Junortoun Community Action Group’s list of priorities, group secretary and treasurer Kevin de Vries said.
They anticipate the highway will carry an increased load of traffic servicing the local area as the suburb’s population grows, and as the highway is likely to become the second major route to Melbourne.
Turning lanes and the inconsistency of speed limits could pose safety issues, the group believes.
Mr de Vries said the cycling lane also petered out, “about where the trotting track is.”
“We’d like to have it extended all the way to Bennetts Road,” he said.
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The group also expressed concerns about the safety of Junortoun Road, following recent crashes involving cyclists and motor vehicles.
“Junortoun Road carries its fair share of increased traffic,” Mr de Vries said.
“People at Junortoun are using Junortoun Road in order to get between Junortoun and Strathfieldsaye.”
However, he said it lacked footpaths, bicycle tracks, formed gutters and sealed shoulders.
Mr de Vries said the road was also “very narrow”, with rough terrain, a hill, and an intersection.
The speed limit is 80 kilometres an hour.
Much like Howard Street, in Jackass Flat, Mr de Vries said the road was too dangerous for cyclists and motorists to safely share.
A cyclist was injured following a crash at Howard Street earlier in the month, highlighting areas for improvement along the VicRoads Over Dimensional route.
To provide feedback to the EngageVicRoads program in Loddon Campaspe, click here.