Daylesford and the surrounding Ballarat region in Victoria are facing a growing road maintenance crisis marked by a significant increase in pothole reports, raising safety concerns and causing widespread vehicle damage. Data from Snap Send Solve indicates that the area accounted for 1,684 pothole complaints over the past year, representing a 73.3 percent rise from the previous period. Winter alone saw reports nearly double from 371 to 810.
Locals have described the situation as hazardous and costly. Rhonda Kelly shared that she was unable to attend her late colleague’s funeral in Daylesford after slashing her tire multiple times on potholes near the Western Freeway exit. Images from Google Maps suggest these potholes have appeared repeatedly since at least October 2022. The Department of Transport confirmed that Ballan-Daylesford Road is inspected every two weeks, but during a recent site visit, more than 60 potholes were visible along the 30-kilometer stretch.
Mechanics and business owners in the region report heavy strain due to the road conditions. Roadside mechanic Mani Sidhu said he repairs five to six tires daily in Daylesford and has observed instances where multiple vehicles simultaneously line up for emergency assistance. Mick Tranter, proprietor of Tyrepower Daylesford, noted he offers discounted tires in response to the volume of repeat damage, while Albert Lamb of Howe Automotive described current road conditions as the worst he has witnessed since opening his workshop in 1982. Lamb criticized the state government's management of road infrastructure, warning that driving on Victorian roads has become dangerous, particularly for drivers of smaller vehicles, and could potentially lead to fatalities.
Jamie Adams, owner of Daylesford Tyre Service, reported fitting 33 replacement tires in approximately one week. Local resident Duncan Smith recounted an incident where he nearly lost control of his car after hitting potholes at night near Daylesford, resulting in over $5,000 in repairs. Smith has since filed a compensation claim for the damages but is still awaiting a response. According to reports, most pothole compensation claims submitted in Victoria are rejected, prompting the government, led by Premier Ben Carroll, to review the compensation scheme that has been in place since 2004. Smith criticized the system as unfair, alleging that thresholds for payout are set too high to cover typical puncture damage.
When asked for details about the criteria for emergency pothole repairs and data on compensation claims in Daylesford, a Department of Transport spokesperson reiterated ongoing investments and maintenance efforts. The government has committed a record $1.04 billion to road repair across Victoria, with 70 percent allocated to regional areas. Maintenance crews remain active in addressing road defects, the spokesperson added.
In a recent announcement, Premier Carroll pledged an additional $352 million for road maintenance, aiming to double the number of potholes repaired nationwide from 250,000 to 500,000 within the current financial year. Despite this increased funding, community members and local businesses continue to express concern over the immediate risks posed by deteriorating road conditions in the Daylesford area.