02 April 2026
Cleeland raises alarm in parliament over dangerous road conditions across Euroa electorate
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has raised serious concerns in State Parliament about the deteriorating condition of roads across the electorate, warning the issue is now putting lives at risk.
Speaking during an adjournment debate, Ms Cleeland shared firsthand accounts from locals and pointed to a growing safety crisis across regional roads.
“This is a safety crisis right across our region. Roads have deteriorated to the point where they are now dangerous for the people who rely on them every single day,” Ms Cleeland said.
Ms Cleeland highlighted a recent incident on the Nagambie Bypass along the Goulburn Valley Highway involving Broadford local, Archie Baines.
“Archie is 82 and has spent decades behind the wheel, yet even he was nearly taken out by a pothole on a major highway,” she said.
“After hitting a large pothole, his tyre blew out and his truck was dragged across lanes, taking out around 100 metres of fencing. It could easily have ended in tragedy.”
Ms Cleeland said the pothole had already been marked but not repaired, and another motorist travelling behind struck the same hazard, suffering multiple tyre blowouts.
“Two incidents on the same stretch of road, caused by the same pothole. That is not bad luck, that is a failure to act,” she said.
She said Archie’s experience reflects what many locals are facing daily.
“Shae is travelling the Violet Town to Murchison Road for essential therapy and feels unsafe every trip,” Ms Cleeland said.
“In Seymour, Corey hit a pothole so hard it bent his rim, he now calls it a very expensive hose reel.”
“Julie has gone as far as repainting lines between Heathcote and Nagambie just so drivers can navigate safely.”
“Across roads like Benalla to Yarrawonga and Avenel to Nagambie, locals say it feels like a dot-to-dot of potholes.”
Ms Cleeland said the consistency of complaints points to a systemic issue.
“These are not isolated cases. Our road network is failing, and regional Victorians are paying the price,” she said.
She criticised the growing “patch and paint” approach to maintenance.
“How many more potholes will be circled before they are actually fixed? Because next time, we may not be talking about damage to a vehicle, we may be talking about a life lost,” Ms Cleeland said.
Ms Cleeland has invited the Minister for Roads to visit the electorate.
“I have asked the Minister to come out, get in a truck with Archie, and see these roads firsthand,” she said.
“The time for patch jobs is over. Our communities deserve safe, properly maintained roads, and we need real investment before luck runs out.”