Wangaratta calls for Action on Key State-managed Roads

Published on 09 September 2026

The Rural City of Wangaratta is joining Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) in a statewide campaign calling for greater investment in regional roads, with Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Greta Road and Murdoch Road included among 30 priority roads in need of maintenance and upgrades across Victoria’s 10 largest regional cities.

The three roads are important links for residents, businesses, freight operators and visitors travelling across the municipality and surrounding region. Community feedback about their condition continues to reinforce Council’s call for increased Victorian Government investment in the regional road network

Mayor Irene Grant said the condition of many regional roads continued to impact safety, connectivity, and productivity across the region.

"Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Greta Road and Murdoch Road are among the roads our community raises most often with Council, and all three are vital connections for residents, businesses and visitors."

"These roads are managed by the Department of Transport and Planning and require continued State Government investment to improve safety, reliability and connectivity across our region."

Regional Cities Victoria has written to Premier Ben Carroll identifying 30 priority roads across Victoria's ten largest regional cities that should be first in line for repairs under the Victorian Government's additional $352 million road maintenance commitment.

The advocacy effort highlights the importance of ensuring additional road funding translates into tangible improvements on the ground for regional communities.

In addition to urgent road maintenance, Regional Cities Victoria is calling for a $2 billion Regional Roads Package over four years and a $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to invest in infrastructure that unlocks housing, creates jobs and supports growing regional communities. The Rural City of Wangaratta designed the funding program, which was recently adopted by Regional Cities Victoria and includes the Country Roads and Bridges Fund.

The Rural City of Wangaratta has also welcomed the State Coalition's recent commitment to reinstate the Country Roads and Bridges Program. Under the commitment, eligible rural and regional councils would receive $1.5 million annually to invest in local roads and bridges. Mayor Irene Grant said the announcement demonstrated the strength of regional advocacy and reinforced the need for long-term investment in local infrastructure.

Mayor Irene Grant "The Rural City of Wangaratta welcomes the Coalition's commitment to reinstate the Country Roads and Bridges Program."

"It's encouraging to see regional advocacy helping shape the infrastructure agenda ahead of the State Election. The Rural City of Wangaratta proposed a regional roads funding model through Regional Cities Victoria, including a Country Roads and Bridges Fund, which was subsequently adopted as part of the Council's advocacy platform."

"While investment in local roads and bridges is welcome, sustained funding is also needed for State-managed roads. Regional communities need both local infrastructure funding and long-term investment in the key transport routes they rely on every day."

The Rural City of Wangaratta supports these calls and will continue to work with Regional Cities Victoria and all levels of government to advocate for the infrastructure investment required to maintain our quality of life and enable future growth.