Calls for Cash Injection for Victoria State C-Class Roads Network

Published on 27 July 2020

The unsafe and deteriorating condition of many roads across Western Victoria requires a major injection of funds to stop putting people’s lives at risk. C-Class roads are regional distributors, joining municipalities and connecting communities together making up about 5000km of transport links between Buloke, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Transport Group (WSMRTG), which represents six Western Victorian municipalities, has called for an immediate injection of $50 million by the State Government to make 30 of the regions worst C-class roads safe for users.

Chair of the WSMRTG Cr Kevin Erwin said “Our group has been researching and identifying key issues impacting the region’s transport network to understand how these impacts are limiting Western Victoria’s growth and development and this research clearly shows that the poor condition of many of our C-class roads is negatively impacting industry, agriculture, tourism and communities and is putting lives at risk. Crash rates on these roads are two to three times greater than the country Victorian average – this is simply unacceptable. These roads are vital to our communities and their upkeep deserves to be a priority,” Cr Erwin said.

There are many C class Roads that have extremely narrow seals, broken edges and drop offs, making it extremely difficult for traffic users to pass each other safely, especially long heavy trucks. Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor Cr Gersch stated that “These roads were simply not built to accommodate the volume of traffic, size and loads being carried by trucks in today’s world. The narrow sealed roads are also often used as detours when accidents occur on major roads, ironically increasing the risk of causing another accident. An unfortunate example of this was the previous incident on Blue Ribbon Road, Horsham which followed the Pimpinio bus crash last year”.

The 30 narrow-sealed roads most in need of urgent attention have been identified by the Regional Transport Group with Regional Roads Victoria telling the group that, should funding be made available, an early start could be made on many of these projects which would help stimulate the regional economy at this difficult time.

For more information, please contact Angela Hoy, Director Infrastructure Services on 03 5391 4444, 0427 813 262 or email ahoy@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.

Greg Wood
Chief Executive Officer