Kingston and Bayside Councils have united to call on the Victorian Government to “get its roads back on track”, saying potholes and deteriorating road surfaces are creating safety risks, vehicle damage and frustration for thousands of road users.
The Mayors (pictured) of both councils, Georgina Oxley and Debbie Taylor-Haynes, launched the joint advocacy push from the Nepean Highway and South Road intersection, where the two municipalities meet.
While the intersection marks the boundary between Kingston and Bayside, the Mayors say there is nothing local about the problem.
They say thousands of residents, commuters, businesses, cyclists and public transport users rely on major state-managed roads every day, including the Nepean Highway, and are increasingly being forced to navigate potholes and deteriorating road surfaces.
Kingston Mayor, Georgina Oxley said local communities should not have to put up with deteriorating State roads.
“Our residents shouldn’t have to dodge potholes on the way to work, school or home,” Mayor Oxley said.
“Councils invest heavily in maintaining the roads we’re responsible for, and we expect the State Government to do the same with its roads.
“This is about making sure fixing these roads is a priority. Our community deserves safe, reliable roads – not more excuses.”
Bayside Mayor, Debbie Taylor-Haynes said the condition of State-managed roads was a problem that affected the whole region.
“These are major roads used by thousands of people every day, yet too many are being left to deteriorate,” she said.
“Potholes and poor road surfaces aren’t just frustrating; they can damage vehicles and create genuine safety risks. The State Government needs to step up, fix these roads properly and keep them maintained.”
The councils are calling for urgent action to repair deteriorating State-owned roads across the region, warning that delaying maintenance will ultimately increase the cost to taxpayers.
The Mayors said the joint push was about ensuring the region’s growing communities had the safe and reliable road network they deserved.
To view Kingston’s advocacy priorities ahead of the State Election, head to kingston.vic.gov.au/put-kingston-first.
