Source : Perth Now news
Victoria will double the number of potholes repaired this year after a series of damaging road incidents sharpened concern about the state’s battered road network.
The state government has announced an extra $352 million to lift the number of potholes fixed this year from 250,000 to 500,000, with crews set to step up work as conditions dry out in the weeks ahead.
Most of the repairs are expected to be carried out in the second half of the year and into January, when road crews have better conditions to work in.
Crews will target major roads across the state, including the Geelong Ring Rd, Western Highway, Calder Highway and Princes Highway, as well as regional routes that have also come under pressure.
The funding boost comes after fresh concern about Victorian roads, including a major pothole on the Princes Highway near Bunyip that reportedly damaged dozens of cars in wet weather and left motorists stranded on the roadside.
Premier Ben Carroll cast the package as a direct response to a problem many drivers are facing.
“This is absolutely where Victorians want to see their money spent – it is my priority,” Mr Carroll said.
He acknowledged the condition of the network was falling short, adding that it “is not good enough”.
Mr Carroll said the extra spending would be funded through budget savings, including a one-year delay to the completion of three level crossing removals at Highett Rd and Wickham Rd in Highett, and Latrobe St in Mentone.
“I respect your money and I have made commonsense decisions to show how we can afford it,” he said.
The government said the delay would save $112 million in forward estimates while keeping the broader level crossing program on track.
It also pointed to other recently announced savings, including $2 billion linked to the Suburban Rail Loop and $70 million in consultant spending.
The latest investment follows several high-profile pothole incidents that have put road safety and road damage back in the spotlight.
On the Princes Highway near Bunyip, about 75 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, 3AW reported at least 23 cars struck a large pothole in wet weather, with many motorists forced to pull over and change tyres.
One driver, identified by 3AW as Matthew, described the scene as a “disaster”.
“It needs something; it’s just atrocious,” he said.
The Bunyip incident is the latest in a string of similar cases. In November 2025, more than 20 vehicles were reportedly damaged by a pothole near Nar Nar Goon on the Princes Highway.
In June, drivers in Victoria’s southwest reported costly repair bills after hitting potholes near Warrnambool.
At the time, RACV warned deteriorating road surfaces posed a safety risk because drivers could be forced to swerve to avoid potholes.
The state government had already announced in June that it would invest $1.04 billion in roads, with 70 per cent directed to regional Victoria.
This latest package builds on that spending, with the government hoping faster repairs will reduce damage and ease pressure on motorists.
