VicRoads has launched an interactive online community engagement platform, where road users can register complaints or concerns about particular roads.

The council’s infrastructure director Scott Cavanagh is urging residents to get online and have their say on the standard of regional roads.

“We shouldn’t have to fight for just the basic maintenance on the arterial road network,” he said. “Just doing the maintenance isn’t really what we see as meeting the community’s needs. The needs down here on the Princes Highway west are not just about renewing the roads and doing the maintenance. It’s about the safety and network improvements that provide capacity and better trips along the highway as well. We really want to encourage the community to talk about those aspects, and give VicRoads the feedback that it’s not enough to do the maintenance, we want our trip times improved and to make sure there is safety on the road network that meets best practices.” 

He said the council wanted to see a plan formed around the future of the Princes Highway west and was advocating for road duplication around Allansford and from Warrnambool to Port Fairy.

“One of the interesting facts about the highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy is that it carries as much traffic as some of the other sections (in other regions) that are being duplicated now,” he said. 

He also highlighted the Botanic Road intersection, where it meets the Princes Highway, saying it was “problematic”.

“We want VicRoads to have a plan so that we can see where we are moving to in the next five years, and then the next 10,” Mr Cavanagh said.

“It’s a bit much to expect it will all happen straight away, but we need to see the plan for progressive improvement in the foreseeable future, and that’s where we want to see a commitment from the state and federal government.” 

VicRoads has opened online discussion forums to help prioritise road works important to the community.

Visit engage.vicroads.vic.gov.au/countryroads-greatsouthcoast and drop pins on the map to share your priorities for future growth, road safety and road maintenance.