Margaret Homfray, Blackburn

I recently took a journey on a V/Line bus from Warrnambool to Swan Hill via Ballarat and Bendigo. Luckily under the care of a very competent driver and after being jostled and shaken for some time, I noticed the many road signs stating rough surface next 20km. After alighting at Ballarat and looking forward to a much needed restorative cup of coffee, I am of the opinion that all Vic Roads needs to do is install just one large sign on the roadside at the beginning of the trip stating ‘rough surface next 100 miles’.

Audrey Lyons, Warrnambool

I called Warrnambool City Council advising I had not received my usual rates notice and questioned the balance. The employee advised me of the balance verbally and when I asked for it be emailed so I can look over and make payment I was advised there would be a $16 charge for the email or it to be posted. I questioned why and the response was "I don't make the rules".  Out of all the councils, utility companies and more that we as the community have bills with, this is the only one that charges a fee to simply attach a document and hit send. This is outrageous in this modern world when it is so simple to just press a button and get paid $16 to do so. I would understand a $5 fee if a physical employee had to go through filing cabinets, re-type, hand write an envelope, go to the post office to buy a stamp and put in the post box. This is not the case, we live in 2018 not 1905. Take this fee away.

Ingrid Kahn, Holland Park, QLD 

Mortlake and district is being threatened by 200-plus, huge (32 storey tall) wind turbines. Mortlake South is only a small part of the invasion. There are many more planned. These wind farms bring many problems to our community. Farm and housing prices will plummet. The infrasound will drive us from our homes. Our wildlife will be slaughtered by the wind turbines (brolgas, peregrine falcons, eagles small bats). Firefighting by planes and helicopters will be impossible, making us more vulnerable. Remember the St Patrick’s Day fires. Huge transmission lines will scar our beautiful countryside. Our district will become industrialised. Ownership of these wind farms is in the hands of foreign companies, so we, the taxpayers are giving our money in subsidies to foreign nationals. None of these wind farms are economic. They have to be subsidised to survive. Subsidies so far are over $52 billion. All this for non economic, unreliable energy. Remember South Australia. This is all being done so the Andrews Government can win Green seats in the city. We are being sacrificed

Bayse Thomas, Mortlake

This week marks a significant shift in the way we manage Victoria’s regional and rural road network. 

Because the role roads play in the country are very different to those in the city. The problem is not that we don’t have enough roads in the country – it’s that we need to change the way we maintain and develop the ones we have. 

Change is necessary to ensure we keep communities and industries connected – and that’s good news for local jobs and businesses. 

The fact is, more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s arterial roads are in the regions. 

And for people living outside of Melbourne, roads are often the only way to get from A to B. 

Having lived in regional Victoria for around 30 years, I know this firsthand, and my goal is to ensure regional communities have the safe and reliable roads they deserve. That’s why I’m proud to lead the new, dedicated country roads body – Regional Roads Victoria. With the sole focus on fixing the country roads that need it most. That means safer roads and less congestion. 

Over the coming weeks and months, I will be on the road, driving our network, meeting with communities, stakeholders and industry to understand the challenges and opportunities we face. 

Our aim is not only to consistently improve the condition of our roads, but to bring you with us – so you know the why and how of what we’re doing, and its benefit. 

We’ll also coordinate with other parts of Government who are delivering for regional Victoria to make sure these road priorities get done with minimal disruption for locals. 

Ultimately, our job is to make sure the roads people rely on every day to get to work or take their kids to school, are up to scratch.  And we won’t waste a minute getting on with the job. 

We’re set to embark on the biggest road maintenance blitz Victoria has ever seen, with a record $941 million investment in regional roads. 

Major road rebuilds are starting this month on the Princes Highway near Moe, the Hume Freeway at Winton, and Borung Highway at Dimboola. 

As the weather warms, hundreds more road upgrades will get underway in every corner of our state – creating around 650 construction jobs in regional Victoria. 

And for the first time, the community will be able to see what works are underway or planned in their local area via the new RRV website – regionalroads.vic.gov.au. 

It’s also going to be easier to reach us when you need to talk about an upgrade or to voice any concerns via a dedicated, Ballarat based, call centre 133 RRV (778). 

The challenges that our 19,000 kilometres of country arterial roads presents will not be fixed overnight, but we’re it for the long haul. 

It will take sustained focus, consultation and continued investment. Together, we’ll work hard every day to build a network that gets you home safer and sooner. 

Paul Northey 

Regional Roads Victoria - Chief Regional Roads Officer