Poor state of roads costing regional drivers
Victoria’s dilapidated road network is continuing to cost regional Victorians, with drivers struggling to receive compensation for vehicle damage in a timely manner as delays continue.
Claims made to Regional Roads Victoria and VicRoads are facing considerable delays, with impacted drivers unable to receive assistance or compensation within a reasonable timeframe.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said constituents had raised several concerns with the claims process, with some individuals waiting upwards of four months to receive compensation after suffering damage to their vehicles while travelling on the neglected roads.
“The wait times that people are going through are simply unacceptable,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Not only has the Labor Government left these roads in a dire state, but now people impacted by the poor roads are unable to get the compensation they deserve.”
Ms Cleeland said one constituent had been waiting for months to hear back from Regional Roads Victoria after their vehicle was damaged while driving from Avenel to Shepparton.
“Despite a few follow ups, there has been no decision or outcome provided to me of this claim,” the constituent said to Ms Cleeland.
“I have been told it can take up to eight weeks to process the claims due to high volume. The eight weeks has well passed.
“I followed up again to be told I will need to wait for a phone call back from the claims department as they must be still investigating.
“It will soon be four months since the claim was lodged.”
Ms Cleeland has consistently spoken out about the poor state of Victorian roads, noting the damage caused by floods was only the most recent issue with the network.
“Labor is kidding itself if it thinks the poor state of our roads is the result of last year’s floods – the crisis has been building since Labor’s first cut to the road maintenance budget way back in 2015,” she said.
“Our arterial roads are still in need of significant work, while local councils are buckling under the weight of the roads maintenance backlog they’re facing, especially in rural and flood-affected areas.
“Labor needs to immediately announce more funding to get our roads fixed and reverse its $215 million budget cut from the last two years.
“Our roads can’t wait till the budget in May, this needs to happen now.”