City of Whittlesea’s state-managed roads audit

The City of Whittlesea is continuing to advocate for improved maintenance standards on Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) managed arterial roads across the municipality. 

Following extensive audits undertaken by Council across approximately 206 kilometres of DTP-managed roads, more than 1,300 maintenance defects were identified across the municipality. 

Many arterial roads throughout the City of Whittlesea are owned and maintained by DTP.

This page highlights the key issues identified throughout Council’s audits and ongoing community feedback.

Dumped rubbish

Large volumes of dumped rubbish continue to be reported along DTP-managed arterial roads and roadsides throughout City of Whittlesea. 

This includes: 

  • Household waste  
  • Hard rubbish  
  • Construction materials  
  • General litter  

Council continues advocating for improved maintenance and response times for rubbish removal on DTP-managed land. 

View the audit report for dumped rubbish(PDF, 9MB)

Potholes and deteriorating road surfaces

Council audits identified widespread road surface deterioration across DTP-managed roads, including potholes, cracking, failed road patches and uneven surfaces. 

Poor road conditions can: 

  • Create safety risks for motorists, cyclists and motorcyclists  
  • Cause vehicle damage  
  • Increase braking and visibility hazards  
  • Worsen over time if not repaired quickly.

Damaged guard rails

Damaged guard rails remain one of Council’s key safety concerns. 

Council inspections identified numerous damaged safety barriers across DTP-managed roads, including sites that have remained unresolved for extended periods despite being reported. 

Guard rails are critical road safety infrastructure designed to: 

  • Protect motorists during crashes
  • Reduce the severity of collisions
  • Prevent vehicles leaving the roadway.

Council continues advocating for urgent repairs to damaged safety barriers throughout the municipality. 

Missing or damaged signs

Council audits identified missing, damaged, faded and obstructed traffic signs across several arterial roads. 

Traffic signs play a critical role in: 

  • Directing motorists safely
  • Managing traffic movement
  • Supporting pedestrian and cyclist safety
  • Reducing driver confusion.

Missing or damaged signs can increase safety risks for all road users. 

Dead animals

Council continues receiving reports regarding delays in the removal of dead animals from arterial roads and roadsides. 

Delayed removal can impact: 

  • Community amenity
  • Road safety
  • Public health
  • Wildlife management.

Council has raised ongoing concerns regarding maintenance response times on DTP-managed roads. 

Overgrown vegetation

Overgrown grass, weeds and roadside vegetation have been identified across multiple arterial roads throughout the municipality. 

Overgrown vegetation can: 

  • Obstruct driver sightlines
  • Create fire risks
  • Reduce visibility for pedestrians and cyclists
  • Impact the appearance and safety of roadsides.

Drainage issues

Council audits identified drainage concerns across sections of the DTP-managed road network, including blocked drains, water pooling and roadside erosion. 

Poor drainage can contribute to: 

  • Road damage
  • Flooding during heavy rain
  • Unsafe driving conditions
  • Faster deterioration of road infrastructure.

Council continues advocating for improved maintenance and preventative works across the network. 

General road safety concerns

Council’s audits and community feedback identified a range of broader road safety concerns across DTP-managed roads, including: 

  • Obstructed visibility
  • Debris on roadsides
  • Faded line marking
  • Poor roadside maintenance
  • Unsafe intersections
  • Delayed maintenance responses. 

The City of Whittlesea will continue advocating strongly to DTP and the Victorian Government for improved maintenance standards and safer roads for the community. 

Graffiti

Graffiti and vandalism on DTP-managed roads and infrastructure continue to impact the presentation and amenity of key arterial roads throughout the municipality. 

Council audits identified graffiti on: 

  • Traffic and directional signs
  • Guard rails
  • Bridges and underpasses
  • Roadside infrastructure
  • Public assets along arterial roads.

Council continues advocating for improved maintenance standards and more timely responses to graffiti and vandalism on DTP-managed infrastructure. 

Whose road is it?

Many arterial roads throughout City of Whittlesea are managed by DTP, not Council. 

This includes responsibility for many road-related maintenance activities, such as: 

  • Road surface repairs
  • Guard rails
  • Traffic signs
  • Line marking
  • Drainage linked to arterial roads
  • Roadside maintenance on many arterial roads.

To find out who manages a particular road, visit the Report a road issue page.

You can also use the Whose road is it? map.

How can you help?  

The City of Whittlesea will continue advocating strongly for safer roads, improved maintenance standards and better outcomes across DTP-managed arterial roads. 

You can also help by: 

  • reporting issues on arterial roads directly to DTP, see the VicRoads website for more information
  • raising concerns about the condition of DTP-managed roads throughout City of Whittlesea by contacting your local Member of Parliament