Emergency services responded to a call regarding a motorcycle striking a pothole on the Western Highway near Trawalla, west of Ballarat, shortly before 1:00 PM on Sunday. The 71-year-old rider, a local of Ballarat, tragically died at the scene after reportedly losing control of his vehicle. Police are currently investigating the exact circumstances of the crash, which remain undetermined.
However, this tragic event has once again thrust the state of Victoria’s public road infrastructure into the spotlight, emerging as a critical issue in the upcoming state election.
A recent audit report released on September 9 highlighted that nearly half—48%—of Victoria’s road network is in poor or very poor condition, a significant increase from 39% in 2021. The audit, which assessed over 23,000 kilometers of state roads, characterized the overall condition of the network as “deteriorating.”
In response to the crisis, political parties have put forward competing plans. The Victorian Coalition has pledged a $5 billion investment over four years to repair one million potholes and restore preventive road maintenance. Meanwhile, the Labor government has committed $352 million to double the number of potholes repaired in 2026, aiming to increase the target from 250,000 to 500,000.
Premier Ben Carroll described the fatality as “a tragic loss of life,” acknowledging that “road conditions aren’t good enough.” Speaking on ABC radio, he emphasized that his administration is taking responsibility, stating, “the buck does stop with us.” Carroll announced plans to bring road maintenance back under government control, reversing the outsourcing model implemented in the mid-1990s. “There cannot be any more buck passing on road maintenance,” he asserted.
Danny O’Brien, the shadow minister for roads and road safety, condemned the tragedy as “the saddest possible consequence” of the state’s neglected roads. He urged immediate action, stating, “These potholes need to be fixed and fixed properly as a matter of urgency… so that no more lives are lost on Victorian roads because of government neglect.” The Liberals and Nationals have vowed to continue pressuring the government to prioritize maintenance on regional Victoria’s most hazardous roads. The Victorian state election is scheduled for November 28.
