PLAINS AWFUL

Road satisfaction worst in Vic

RESIDENTS in Golden Plains Shire are among the least satisfied in Victoria with the state of their roads, data from Ratepayers Victoria reveals.

The satisfaction data for local government areas in 2020-21 found residents in the Golden Plains Shire recorded a satisfaction score of 39 per cent, the state’s equal lowest.

There were 80.12 road requests per 100km, according to the data.

In comparison, residents in the City of Greater Geelong City recorded a satisfaction score of 62 per cent, with 79.21 road requests per 100km.

Surf Coast Shire residents recorded a score of 63 per cent with 47.93 road requests per 100km, while residents in the Borough of Queenscliffe had 335.71 road requests per 100km and a roads satisfaction score of 66 per cent.

Opposition spokeswoman for roads Steph Ryan said Victorians living in regional areas were “sick of dodging dangerous hazards” on the road.

“It’s become incredibly clear that the city-centric Labor Roads Minister actually needs to get out on Victoria’s roads and see first-hand the mess he is presiding over,” Ms Ryan said.

“Potholes and crumbling road shoulders are a daily danger for parents running the kids to school or heading into town for essential groceries.

“Yet the Labor government’s Band-Aid fix is to lower speed limits, rather than fix our most dangerous roads.”

Yarriambiack Shire, northwest of the Geelong and Bellarine region, also recorded a satisfaction score of 39 per cent, with 32.64 road requests per 100km, according to the data.

Ms Ryan said country roads had “suffered from neglect” since the decision to cease the country roads and bridges program in 2014.

“The Labor government has no understanding of the realities of life outside Melbourne’s tram tracks,” she said.