South west roads ranked Victoria's worst in RACV survey

SouthWest Victoria Alliance (SWVA) says the results of RACV’s 2026 My Country Road survey should serve as a wake-up call for governments, after two south west roads were ranked as the most dangerous regional roads in Victoria.

The survey ranked the Princes Highway West between Colac and Camperdown as the most dangerous regional road in the state, with the Princes Highway West between Portland and Port Fairy taking second place. The results were based on feedback from Victorian road users and follow RACV’s broader identification of safety concerns across the regional road network.

SWVA Chair Cr Dennis Heslin said the findings reflected concerns that councils, businesses, freight operators and local communities across south west Victoria had been raising for years.

“Unfortunately, these results will come as no surprise to people living and working in south west Victoria.”

“When two roads from our region are ranked as the worst in regional Victoria, it’s a clear indication that we have a serious infrastructure problem that requires urgent attention.”

Cr Heslin said the rankings reinforced SWVA’s long-standing advocacy for increased investment in both state-managed highways and local road networks.

“Our roads are not just transport corridors. They connect communities to jobs, schools, healthcare and essential services, while supporting the movement of freight that underpins the regional economy.”

“The condition of these roads affects productivity, visitor experiences, freight efficiency and, most importantly, community safety.”

The survey results follow the release of the Victorian Auditor-General’s recent report on road maintenance and growing public scrutiny of road conditions across the state. Recent media coverage of a fatal motorcycle crash linked to concerns about road condition has further highlighted the importance of maintaining safe and reliable road infrastructure.

Cr Heslin said the findings demonstrated why roads remain a central focus of SWVA’s 2026 State Election Platform.

“We’ve consistently raised roads and transport as one of the most significant challenges facing south west Victoria. These survey results reinforce exactly why that advocacy is so important.”

“Our communities should not have to accept some of the worst roads in Victoria. Safe roads are a basic expectation and a critical foundation for regional growth.”

While SWVA has welcomed recent commitments from both sides of politics towards road investment, the Alliance said the RACV results demonstrate that much more work remains to address years of accumulated deterioration across the network.

“Recent funding announcements are positive and welcome, but these rankings show the scale of the task ahead.”

“If governments are serious about supporting regional Victoria, they must continue investing in the roads that regional communities rely on every day.”

SWVA will continue advocating for increased investment in roads, transport and regional infrastructure as part of its broader vision for a stronger and more connected south west Victoria.