Ambulance Victoria data from its 2023-24 Annual Report has shown a consistent and alarming rise in the number of rural road emergencies attended as Victoria’s road network continues to deteriorate.
Since 2018-19, the total number of rural emergency road incidents attended by Ambulance Victoria increased by 24.5 per cent, while urgent Code 1 incidents have increased by a staggering 38.5 per cent over the same period for a total of 121,551 callouts.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said this trend has been matched with cuts to road maintenance funding.
“The condition of regional roads plays a crucial role in keeping regional road users safe,” she said.
“While there are a range of factors that contribute to road incidents, safe infrastructure should be a priority and sadly that’s not the case across our state.
“Road maintenance works in regional Victoria dropped by 95 per cent last year and current funding is nowhere near meeting demand.
“Under Labor, our roads have been left to decay to conditions that are simply unsafe for motorists to use.”
Ms Cleeland said failing to maintain roads not only made it unsafe for motorists, but also contributed to a range of other factors hurting regional communities.
“The shocking state of regional roads hurts productivity for our economy and creates a dangerous environment for road users,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The flow on effect of increasing in road crashes is also placing additional pressure on our already overstretched ambulance services and hospital emergency departments.”
Ms Cleeland highlighted some of the most notorious stretches of neglected roads in the region.
“No road is immune when it comes to the Allan Labor Government’s complete lack of interest in regional road maintenance,” she said.
“The Goulburn Valley Highway between Nagambie and Shepparton was regarded as the fourth worst road in the state in recent surveys, with the left lane virtually undriveable in parts.
“Other roads such as the Kilmore-Lancefield Road was ranked 13th in the same survey, while concerns have been made to me directly from all parts of our electorate, including roads in Murchison, Violet Town, Euroa, Heathcote, Seymour, and Benalla.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage regional roads and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
