Council says local roads are “beyond a joke”
South Gippsland councillors have admitted that the region’s roads are “beyond a joke”, unanimously backing a push for more action from the government.
South Gippsland councillors have admitted that the region’s roads are “beyond a joke”, unanimously backing a push for more action from the government.
South Gippsland Shire Council endorsed a motion at its council meeting on Wednesday, August 19, to take the issue to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council in October.
The forum will allow the council to elevate the concerns surrounding our roads into statewide advocacy priorities.
Cr John Schelling moved the motion, and Cr Sarah Gilligan seconded it.
All councillors voted in favour.
Cr Schelling said deteriorating roads had been a major concern for councillors for a number of years, especially considering that they technically serve as a workplace for truck drivers, and others who make a living on the roads.
“Our roads are in terrible disarray,” he said.
“The State Government’s obviously taken its eye off the ball.”
Cr Schelling said fuel tankers and other vehicles were being forced to avoid potholes, and he identified the South Gippsland, Bass and Strzelecki highways as just some of the roads that require strong attention.
Cr Gilligan said the Venus Bay-Inverloch Road was “falling apart” and had deteriorated beyond the point where isolated repairs would be enough.
“We need full pavement reconstruction,” she said.
“We are not talking about potholes anymore. It has been left to go way too long.”
Cr Gilligan even gave a personal example, saying that while accompanying her son, who is on his L plates, she found driving a smaller car on the region’s damaged roads to be a “really scary environment.”
Deputy Mayor Cr Brad Snell said South Gippsland’s roads were essential to the agricultural supply chain, with freight and heavy machinery used to move produce “from pasture to plate.”
He said regional industries were being expected to increase productivity, despite having to rely on roads that aren’t safe or adequate for the tasks they’re asked to do.
Mayor Nathan Hersey said the condition of state-managed roads had become unsafe for residents, tourists, workers, and children travelling to school.
“The state of our state roads is now beyond a joke,” he said.
Cr Hersey also referred to a recent RACV report which identified the Bass, South Gippsland and Strzelecki highways among Victoria’s worst roads.
He also touched on how much locals rely on those roads, considering how few public transport options are available within the region.
Council’s motion will now be presented at the MAV State Council meeting, where Cr Hersey expects it to attract support from other regional councils who are currently experiencing the same issues.
