The tragic death of a motorcyclist after striking a pothole on the Western Highway has brought Victoria’s worsening road crisis into devastating focus.
A 71-year-old Ballarat man died after his motorcycle struck a pothole and lost control on the Western Highway at Trawalla on Sunday. Victoria Police is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
The Western Highway is the main route to Melbourne for communities across western Victoria, with thousands of people regularly travelling on the road for work, health appointments, business and visiting family.
The tragedy comes just days after the Victorian Auditor-General revealed almost half of Victoria’s state roads are now rated poor or very poor, up from 39 per cent in 2021.
The Auditor-General also found the Department of Transport and Planning had warned Labor that funding was insufficient to maintain or improve the road network, forcing a shift from preventative maintenance towards reactive and safety-critical repairs.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said every Victorian deserved a safe road network.
“This is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with this man’s family and loved ones,” she said.
“For people across western Victoria, this isn’t some distant stretch of highway – it’s the road we regularly travel to get to Melbourne.
“Police must investigate the circumstances of this crash, but we cannot ignore the broader warning about the condition of Victoria’s roads.
“Country Victorians have been telling Labor for years our roads are deteriorating and becoming increasingly dangerous. Now the Auditor-General has confirmed it.”
Ms Kealy said the Liberals and Nationals had a positive plan to rebuild Victoria’s crumbling roads, committing $5 billion over four years to repair and rebuild state roads, alongside $288 million through the Country Roads and Bridges Program for rural and regional councils.
“After 12 years of Labor, an election-year pothole blitz cannot undo years of neglect,” she said.
“Road safety is not optional. Victorians should be able to get in their car, get on their motorbike or put their family on the road knowing the road itself isn’t putting them at risk.
“The Nationals have a positive plan to rebuild our roads, invest in proper preventative maintenance and reconstruction, and deliver the safer roads country Victorians deserve.”
