Gerald Lynch
Brimbank council and a local MP are putting pressure on the state government to adequately fund road maintenance in the area.
In 2014, Brimbank council entered into a municipal maintenance agreement (MMA) with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), whereby council took over specified maintenance responsibility such as grass mowing, edge trimming, weed control, and other associated works for those parts of the urban arterial road network for which DTP is the responsible road authority.
The MMA covers urban arterial roads north of Ballarat Road, while those south of Ballarat Road continue to be maintained by DTP’s contractor, Ventia.
Council’s total annual spend to deliver the MMA is about $475,000 excluding GST, and DTP contributes $109,090, leaving a net cost to council of about $355,000.
Western Metropolitan MP Trung Luu went in to bat for council during question time in state Parliament on May 28.
“Can the minister please update my constituents on who is going to maintain arterial roads and upkeep state assets as the Brimbank council indicate they are not in a position to subsidise the state government any longer,” he said.
“This council cannot possibly afford to cover more than three-quarters of the cost under the municipality maintenance agreement any longer.
“The serviceability of these road assets is essential to assure connectivity and safety for Victorians, especially for those in my electorate who use the roads daily.”
Brimbank council is awaiting a response from the DTP, with a deadline set of June 30.
The inquiry from council requests an additional bout of funding to support the continued upkeep of arterial roads included in the MMA.
In October 2023, senior staff at the DTP advised council that there would be no additional funding for an increased maintenance response for at least the next two financial years, and advised that the agreement could be terminated and maintenance responsibilities could be handed back to DTP.
Multiple other councils across the state have chosen this route.
Brimbank council has the opportunity to terminate the agreement with DTP if it wishes.
The state government was contacted for comment.
