AFTER much noise about its condition in recent months, funding has been committed to repairing the Woolsthorpe-Heywood Road, as well as the key freight routes through the Southern Grampians and Glenelg Shires.

The State Government last week announced a $10.2 million investment which it says will be used to rebuild, repair and resurface more than 50 kilometres of roads between now and mid-2023.

The works include three road rehabilitation projects along sections of the Woolsthorpe-Heywood Road near Heywood, Bessiebelle and Willatook, involving complete rebuilds of the road.

Road maintenance projects along the Glenelg, Henty and Princes highways, Portland-Casterton Road, Madeira Packet Road, Casterton-Penola Road and Portland-Nelson Road have also been given the nod.

An additional $3.2 million of funding will be invested in maintaining roadsides in the south-west region, with more mowing, weed spraying and graffiti removal work set to be completed across the network.

“We know how critical our roads are to the south-west – whether it is farmers or freight operators transporting goods to market or visitors visiting one of our many tourist destinations – that is why we are getting on with our critical annual maintenance season,” member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said.

The roads have been selected based upon expert inspections and community feedback, according to the State Government, and also include rebuilding bridges, culverts and retaining walls, and inspecting and maintaining signs and other structures.

Glenelg Shire Councillor, Karen Stephens, who is chair of the Green Triangle Freight Action Group, said the government have “hit the mark” with the roads chosen for projects, and welcomes the funding.

“This is targeting the key freight routes in the area,” she said.

“After these rains we have had, with a really wet winter, there have been some significant failures in the roads recently.

“Anyone who has driven between Heywood and Portland would have surely noticed that.

“The State Government needs to be aware that we have a lot more trucks on our roads than other parts of Victoria.”

Cr Stephens says that while it is not as heavily used by freight like the others, there has been significant public outcry about the condition of the Woolsthorpe-Heywood Road, and understands why it was chosen as a project in the ‘maintenance blitz’.

She says the use of the roads by freight transport to service the Port is important for local industry, but needs to be balanced with funding to keep the roads up to scratch for residents.

The amount of spending on the roads might not spread as far as it might seem though, Cr Stephens noting a 40 per cent increase in road material costs in recent years.

Although it might not sound as exciting, Cr Stephens said the investment in roadside maintenance is very important to maximising the lifetime of roads.

“If we can get the vegetation, and especially grass from growing right on the side of the bitumen, when it rains the water will flow off to the sides properly.

“If the grass is not kept clear, water pools on the roads and causes the road material to become absorbent, then the pounding from heavy trucks cause cracks and the road essentially falls apart.”