In its response to the Parliamentary inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads, Southern Grampians Shire said current road funding of registration and fuel taxes was “outdated”.

“There are numerous models available for which roads could derive revenue that would enable road maintenance to be self-funded. These include models such as registration based on kilometres travelled (user pays model),” its submission said.

The Great South Coast Regional Partnership said current funding for VicRoads-managed roads was “inadequate” and “ad hoc”. The group has questioned whether road user charges could be more effective.

“The current condition of Great South Coast roads indicates that a larger budgetary allocation will be required regardless of the efficiency of any new system.

“We note that forward estimates of the Federal Fuel Excise indicate a substantial decline in receipts. This means that budgetary reform is going to be a critical part of a sustainable road network. Are road user charges a more equitable and effective way to pay for our road network? 

Western Victorian Upper House MP James Purcell said changes to VicRoads needed to be made now. Mr Purcell advocates splitting VicRoads into separate country and metropolitan roads bodies.

“The existing Melbourne-centric funding model is not providing even the basic maintenance level needed to keep country roads safe,” he said.

The inquiry committee is due to report back in late July.

VicRoads said it was working through the more than 300 submissions.