Nearly half Victoria's roads in poor condition with election months away
An auditor general report found 48% of Victorian roads in poor condition, with funding far short of need.
An auditor general report examined over 23,000 kilometres of Victorian roads and found nearly half in poor or very poor condition. The gap between reported defects and repairs doubled between January 2025 and June 2026.
Roads are now getting worse faster than they can be fixed. The Department of Transport told the government it needs $3 billion a year to keep roads in good shape.
The 2026-27 budget set aside just $1.04 billion. In July, seven cars were forced off the Calder Freeway near Gisborne due to pothole damage.
The Opposition has made road repairs a key election issue ahead of November's vote.
- over 23,000 kilometres
- Roads examined
- nearly half (48 percent)
- Poor or very poor
- 3 billion dollars
- Annual funding needed
- 1.04 billion dollars
- Budget allocation 2026-27
Why it mattersRoad safety directly affects drivers. The funding shortfall has become a major election issue with less than three months before Victorians vote.
AustraliaVictorian drivers face safety risks from deteriorating roads and potholes. The issue is shaping the state election outcome.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 11 d ago
