Community
15 July, 2026
Wilson pledges $5 billion for roads
OPPOSITION leader Jess Wilson has announced a 25 per cent increase in road funding if the Coalition is elected this November.
Mrs Wilson was in the south west this week to announce an elected Liberal and National Government would invest $5 billion over four years to boost road maintenance.
The figure represents a 25 per cent increase in spending, with the Allan Labor Government investing just shy of $1 billion in roads each year.
Mrs Wilson joined Polwarth MP Richard Riordan in visiting the Cobden Football Club and Miniature Railway on Sunday, admitting she had been dodging far too many potholes on the drive into town.
“The roads out here are an utter disgrace,” Mrs Wilson said.
“Regional Victorians deserve so much better.
“I think the state of our roads, the neglect, is emblematic of the failure of this Labor Government to invest in our regions – that’s why I’m committed to invest in our infrastructure spend and fix it.”
In addition to the cash influx, the opposition has announced its intention to establish Better Roads Victoria as a standalone division within the Department of Transport and Planning, citing the move as an attempt to rebuild the technical and engineering expertise lost when the Allan Labor government “abandoned VicRoads and axed Regional Roads Victoria”.
The funding will also be used to boost roadside maintenance such as grass slashing, graffiti removal and drain clearance.
Meanwhile, Mrs Wilson also announced a Coalition Government would lift departmental and contractor accountability through a review of construction standards and maintenance contracts.
“We need to upgrade the roads and actually invest in a maintenance program,” she said.
“We’re seeing the need through all the potholes.
“Of course, we need to patch up as an immediate step to make sure roads are safe to drive on, but it’s more important to look at the long-term maintenance and long-term upgrades.”
Maintaining support in the regions will be key for the Coalition in forming government after more than a decade in opposition.
The Liberals have slumped in regional support through recent elections as independents and One Nation have found an uptick in voters.
A key part of retaining support will be a commitment to direct 25 per cent of all new infrastructure funding to regional areas.
“At the moment, under the Labor Government, regional Victoria is only getting 12 per cent of infrastructure funding,” Mrs Wilson said.
“We’ve committed under a Liberal National Government, over the course of our first four years in government, that all new government infrastructure funding will meet a 25 per cent minimum for regional Victoria.
“That will be for roads, for schools, for hospitals and our emergency services to make sure regional Victoria is actually getting its fair share and is not neglected and forgotten like it is at the moment.”