News

Benalla Council calls for urgent action on statemanaged roads

By Benalla Ensign

Sep 21, 2026

These pothole on the Midland Hwy near Benalla have been repaired. But there are many more in the area which need urgent attention. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Benalla Rural City Council is calling on the Victorian Government to fix dangerous potholes and deteriorating conditions on key state-managed roads in and around Benalla.

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These include the Hume Fwy, Midland Hwy and Bridge St in the Benalla CBD.

A newly released Victorian Auditor-General's Office report found that the condition of Victoria's state road network continues to deteriorate, with almost half of state-managed roads rated poor or very poor.

Mayor Bernie Hearn said these findings reflect the concerns regularly raised by Benalla residents about the condition of key state-managed roads in the municipality which are rated tenth worst in the state.

"The VAGO report backs what our community has been telling us. Benalla's state-managed roads are among the worst in Victoria," Cr Hearn said.

"Residents consistently raise concerns about the condition of state-managed roads in Benalla, particularly the Hume Fwy, Midland Hwy, Bridge St , Benalla-Tocumwal Rd and Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd. We want to see those concerns addressed.

"Council wants to see immediate action and calls on the Victorian Government to ensure regional communities beyond the 10 Official Regional Victorian Cities are not overlooked in road maintenance and investment decisions."

Midland Hwy, Benalla-Tocumwal Rd, Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd and Bridge St are state-managed roads and the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Planning.

Council believes the VAGO report provides further evidence of the need for sustained investment in Victoria's regional road network, including state-managed roads within Benalla Rural City.

Council also supports the broader push from Regional Cities Victoria for a $2 billion Regional Roads Package over four years and a $1 billion Regional Growth Fund and urges all parties contesting the November State Election to commit to this funding.

Cr Hearn said the VAGO report makes the case clearly: Benalla's roads need urgent state investment, and Council is calling on the Victorian Government to act now.

“Smaller regional communities like Benalla deserve the same attention as the state's largest regional cities when it comes to road safety and maintenance,” she said.

The VAGO report findings add significant weight to a growing concern, including a recent letter from Regional Cities Victoria to Premier Ben Carroll on September 6 identifying priority roads across regional Victoria for urgent repair and investment.