More than half of Gippsland’s state-managed road network is in poor or very poor condition, according to a damning new report from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO).
VAGO findings revealed 55.44 per cent of state roads across the region fall into the lowest quality ratings, making Gippsland’s road network the second worst in regional Victoria behind Loddon Mallee.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, said the audit confirms what local motorists have experienced for years while dodging potholes and navigating reduced speed limits.
“The fact that more than half of Gippsland’s state-managed roads are rated poor or very poor sounds the alarm for every road user,” Ms Bath said.
“These roads have less than five years of useful life remaining and, under departmental standards, require rehabilitation within one to two years to avoid access restrictions.”
The VAGO audit highlighted that 82 per cent of Victoria’s overall road network is located in regional areas, concluding that state funding has been insufficient to maintain or improve network conditions.
As a result, authorities have been forced to rely on short-term reactive repairs and pothole patching rather than sustained preventative maintenance.
Ms Bath warned that road defects across East Gippsland are appearing faster than repair crews can address them, leaving regional drivers facing blown tires, damaged rims, and systemic delays.
She stated that the Coalition has pledged a $5 billion dedicated road maintenance fund to deliver long-term structural upgrades for regional highways and arterial routes.
