Enough is enough: We deserve cleaner state-managed roads

Published on 11 June 2026

The City of Whittlesea is calling for urgent action to address the growing environmental impacts of neglected roadsides and illegal dumping on Department of Transport and Planning (DTP)-managed land.

Council's recent report into the condition of DTP-managed arterial roads highlighted not only road safety concerns, but also ongoing environmental issues including dumped rubbish, overgrown vegetation, dead animals and poorly maintained roadsides.

Residents regularly contact Council about these issues, despite many of the affected roads and roadsides being owned and managed by DTP.

Council is increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of rubbish being left on roadsides for extended periods, including pollution, harm to local wildlife, the spread of weeds and damage to the natural environment.

Council has also raised concerns regarding infrequent roadside mowing on major roads.

To help address the issue, Council resolved at its May Meeting that the Mayor would write to the Minister for Local Government seeking an exemption for Council on the payment of the waste levy associated with dumped rubbish collected by Council from public land.

Council maintains that State Government agencies must take greater responsibility for maintaining their own assets rather than shifting costs onto ratepayers.

To view Council’s DTP audit report, visit our page City of Whittlesea’s state-managed roads audit.

Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Lawrie Cox:

"Enough is enough. Our community deserves better environmental outcomes and cleaner roadsides.

"Residents rightly expect clean and well-maintained public spaces, regardless of which level of government is responsible.

"It is outrageous that grass on some major roads is mowed only once or twice a year, particularly when residents are required to maintain their own properties to a much higher standard.

“Our community should not be left with the impression that Council is allowing these conditions to persist when responsibility for many of these roadsides rests with DTP.

"Council cannot simply absorb the responsibility for maintaining State Government assets. That would place an unfair burden on our ratepayers.

"Our residents already contribute through taxes that fund State Government responsibilities. DTP must step up because our community deserves better."