RRV, established in 2018 as VicRoads’ specialised country roads division, was tasked with improving safety and maintenance across regional Victoria’s road network.
In 2019, VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria merged into the Department of Transport and later the Department of Transport and Planning.
The government firmly maintains that despite the recent rebranding of RRV to Transport Victoria, its functions and funding remain unchanged, with no reduction in services or resources for regional road maintenance.
“We have the same number of dedicated regional staff working as part of Transport Victoria to deliver our record $6.6 billion investment into maintaining our roads,” a government spokesperson said.
“While the Liberals and Nationals waste their time with Facebook conspiracy theories, we’re getting on with delivering record investment to maintain regional Victorian roads.”
By incorporating RRV into the Department of Transport and Planning, the government said it intended to simplify access to information and better integrate the state’s transport network.
However, the state of regional roads remains a point of contention.
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has been vocal about the issue, urging the government to prioritise community safety.
“We are left with potholes, crumbling roads and dangerously unsafe driving conditions, and it’s clear the government is stepping away from its responsibilities,” she said.
Ms O’Keeffe cited a government survey conducted last year, which indicated that 91 per cent of regional roads were rated as “poor” or “very poor”.
“(Labor has been) allowing regional roads to deteriorate ... and slashing funding for road maintenance year after year,” she said.
The government responded to these allegations and outlined its financial commitment to road maintenance, with a record $964 million allocated this year, part of a broader $6.6 billion 10-year investment strategy.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential sale of SprayLine Road Services, a government-owned road maintenance business.
The government clarified that a review was under way to ensure the effectiveness of its road maintenance investment, and no decisions had been made.
It said there would be no impact on staff or service delivery during the review process.
