Country people disadvantaged.
As we know, keeping our VicRoads as a full service is in the balance. Should that full service aspect of VicRoads go, then learner, probationary and older drivers will be at a distinct disadvantage, as will any person or business seeking proper full service (such as car enthusiasts and collectors).
I also anticipate that given the distances and time periods involved in travelling to either Ballarat or Bendigo that there will be a rise in unlicensed driving and unregistered vehicles in our district.
This will have the effect of needlessly criminalising our population: it is no secret that country people face difficulties of a higher order than our city cousins when it comes to transport, so why make things even tougher?
We have already lost our office of Central Highlands Water (September 2025) and Bendigo Bank: "The Community Bank" has pulled out of Dunolly and Clunes and as a direct consequence leaves Clunes without a newsagent (from October).
Australia is a highly urbanised country – 85% of the population live in its cities.
I suggest that locals write to their State and Federal Government representatives and let them know that we still matter - that we provide food and fibre to the cities and that we should not keep getting the rough end of the stick merely because there are fewer of us.
Deputy Mayor Cr Ben Green
Paddys Ranges Ward
