The Nationals’ Melina Bath has taken the Allan Government to task after it was revealed that majority of state government managed roads in eastern Victoria received a low safety rating by the independent Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) system.
AusRAP assesses Victoria’s state-owned roads to map their safety performance and assigns a star rating which informs Transport Victoria.
Roads are rated from one to five to 5 stars, with five stars being the safest – each step up in the rating halves the risk of fatal or serious injury.
Ms Bath said it was extremely concerning how far roads and road safety had plummeted due to Labor’s neglect and mismanagement.
“Majority of eastern Victorian roads are rated a poor one or two stars for safety that includes key routes including the Bass Highway between Inverloch and Leongatha, Strzelecki Highway, South Gippsland Highway, Dargo Road and Great Alpine Road.
“A one or two star ratings mean the road is in poor condition, there’s a risk of head on collision, a narrow lane width, narrow shoulders, no roadside barriers and a roadside hazard.
“There are only a handful of roads in eastern Victoria that receive three stars or above.
“It unacceptable that eastern Victoria residents are driving on substandard roads with a significantly higher risk of serious injury or fatalities.”
Ms Bath said the AusRAP ratings are proof that regional roads are neglected by the Allan Government.
“No amount of Labor spin can disguise the fact it has abandoned road maintenance in regional Victoria.
“Every year for the past seven years, Labor has announced it is conducting a road maintenance blitz but it’s failed to deliver road safety improvements.
“The Allan Government can’t keep ignoring the evidence – in failing to act on regional roads safety Labor is putting lives at risk.
“Labor can’t manage road safety, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
