$2 billion for regional roads

RCV is seeking an extra $500 million a year over four years to fix local and declared (state) roads, above and beyond the Victorian Government’s existing almost $1 billion annual regional road maintenance program.


The condition of regional roads has become a major safety concern for all Victorians.⁷ Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission’s lives lost data shows that over a five-year average 30 more lives are lost on rural roads than on Melbourne roads.⁸


Despite $964 million⁹ allocated to regional road maintenance for 2024 and another $976 million¹⁰ committed in the 2025/26 Victorian Budget, latest targets from the Department of Transport data indicates just 2.7 million square metres of maintenance is scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year, equal to 1.6 per cent of the state’s 173 million square metres of regional roads.¹¹


If nearly $1 billion in funding now delivers maintenance to just 1.6% of the network, then further investment of $2 billion over four years is not only justifiable – it is essential.

A $2 billion boost to regional roads will ensure:

• Improve road safety and reduce fatalities on regional roads;
• Restore economic productivity by supporting freight, agriculture, and tourism industries;
• Ensure value for money, by reversing the decline in infrastructure condition before costs escalate further.¹²

A $2 billion boost to regional roads is a down payment on safety, connectivity, productivity, and equity that will benefit all Victorians.