Council & Business
19 September, 2025
MP speaks on VicRoads
Bev McArthur met with Central Goldfields Shire councillors to discuss a range of local issues, including the future of Maryborough VicRoads.
MP for Western Victoria Bev McArthur stopped in Maryborough this week, as part of a trip across the region to hear concerns about the issues affecting residents, including the potential Maryborough VicRoads closure.
Ms McArthur met with Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) and members of the community on Wednesday to discuss what currently matters most to them.
Notably, the ESVF, current drought conditions, road conditions and declining volunteer numbers have been flagged with Ms McArthur as issues across the district.
She said many of these issues are a result of the Victorian Government “cost shifting”.
“I think they’re particularly concerned, like all councils are, about the cost shifting that is going on, it just means there is less and less to spend on the things that are needed,” she said.
A key example of this, was the future uncertainty of Maryborough VicRoads, an issue Ms McArthur put to state parliament last month.
“For years, the CGSC has successfully operated the VicRoads office in Maryborough on behalf of the state. Until July this year, VicRoads covered staff wages and on-costs and contributed to rent and overheads, but under a new funding model VicRoads will now only pay a transaction fee, well below the actual cost of running the service,” Ms McArthur said.
“This leaves the small council with an impossible choice, either subsidise a core state responsibility out of ratepayers pockets or be blamed for cuts to services the community relies on.”
While the office remains open, its longevity is still undetermined, raising concerns about access to future licensing and vehicle services.
Ms McArthur said she has been contacted by many residents about the matter, which prompted her to raise the issue in the parliamentary sitting.
“I’ve been written to by numerous people about this, and this is a significant issue, because when a rural community and a town starts losing its services... then the town starts dying,” she said.
“If VicRoads go, that’s just another nail in the coffin for this local municipality. People are going to have to travel long distances to get the same services they were getting here in Maryborough. That’s wrong.
“How much is it going to cost their ratepayers in the extra travel? If you’ve got a vehicle that needs re-registering, what are you going to do? How are you going to drive it to Ballarat or Bendigo, when it may not be roadworthy... I know a previous CEO seemed to endorse this proposal.”
A public community information session regarding the loss or reduction of services at Maryborough VicRoads will be taking place, with the community able to ask questions and voice their concerns.
Victorian MPs and council staff have been invited to attend the meeting to answer questions and hear concerns from locals.
The meeting has been organised by local driving instructor David Hendrickson, with community members encouraged to have their say on the matter.
“This will be a public meeting that we encourage local community members to attend regarding the potential closure of our VicRoads branch,” he said.
“This meeting will aim to provide updates, where people can ask questions and have them answered.”
The session will take place in the theatre at Maryborough Eduction Centre on Monday, September 29 at 7 pm.