The Department of Transport and Planning's latest annual report tabled today shows major patching works on regional roads fell by 45 per cent last financial year, while outer metropolitan areas saw a staggering 73 per cent drop.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O'Brien, said the report confirms what drivers already know - Victoria's roads are deteriorating faster than the government is maintaining them.
"Labor claimed it allocated $964 million its annual road maintenance last year, but the annual report shows only $692 million was actually spent on road asset management - a shortfall of more than $270 million," Mr O'Brien said.
"That's hundreds of millions that should have gone into sealing shoulders, repairing potholes and rebuilding dangerous sections of road.
"Instead, Victorians are left navigating goat tracks while the government pretends everything's fine."
Mr O'Brien said the government's failure to prioritise road safety is costing Victorians in time, money and lives.
"From farmers hauling produce to parents driving kids to school, everyone in Victoria knows how bad the roads have become," Mr O'Brien said.
"These aren't just rough patches - they're hazards that damage cars and put lives at risk.
"Labor's priorities are completely wrong. Instead of maintaining the roads Victorians rely on every day, they're cutting budgets and spinning excuses."
