Council & Business
29 August, 2025
Petition heard by council
Community members have rallied in support of saving Maryborough VicRoads as Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) voiced their advocacy on the matter.
At the August council meeting, councillors unanimously voted in favour of the motion to advocate to VicRoads and the State Government to retain services in Maryborough.
Uncertainty has emerged over VicRoad’s agency in Maryborough being able to continue since changes to their funding model in July.
VicRoads previously reimbursed council for all costs of operation, but has since used a transaction-based model, CGSC fears this will significantly reduce the revenue it receives.
Following much community outcry, an online petition was put to the shire for consideration.
The petition contained 1397 signatures when put to council, but has since amassed over 2000.
An organised gathering was also held outside Maryborough Town Hall prior to the meeting on Wednesday night with locals continuing to gather signatures.
Many other community members attended the meeting with various concerns.
Local real estate agent David Graham said people notice Mary-borough is a small town that “has got everything” but won’t if VicRoads is lost.
“I see it as an essential service for the community. I can see the flow on effect. People were coming into Maryborough to use the service and then do shopping and other things,” he said.
“As a real estate agent, I see both sides of it. It is essential for the people who live here and a town of this size. It is not just about people who get their licences, it is bigger than that.”
An overflowing gallery attended the meeting spanning multiple generations, often applauding councillor’s stances as they voiced their concerns on the matter.
Councillor Gerard Murphy said now council has been handed the petition, it can be furthered as part of the shire’s advocacy.
“I understand the petition has now over 2000 names. As councillor, I will do all in my power to keep a VicRoads office here as it is now,” he said.
“We can take that to the State Government, take it to VicRoads, and advocate.
“It is a big deal for the Central Goldfields Shire’s community to find this funding.”
Councillor Geoff Bartlett acknow-ledged the privatisation deal in 2022.
“As we know, this issue is causing much angst in this community, and the community rightfully deserve to know what has brought this on from VicRoads, their owners, the private consortium made up of Aware Super, the Australian Retirement Trust and Macquarie Asset Management,” he said.
“We as a community need to join together, and fight this as much as we can.”
Maryborough has the only VicRoads office of its type in the state, representing a partnership between the council and VicRoads.
Maryborough VicRoads down-graded the status of its office last year from a Rural Customer Service Centre to an agency. No other VicRoads agency in the state provides driver licence testing or full vehicle inspections.
The funding model intends to bring Maryborough VicRoads inline with the rest of Victoria.
Changing to the fee-for-transaction model is estimated to cost council a significant amount in staff wages, rent and overheads.
Councillor Jake Meyer expressed concerns for members of the community who use these services, including younger members of the community yet to learn to drive.
“The kids are going to lose where they learn to drive. Our kids are going to lose an asset. If we lose this now... it is going to be so hard to get this back in our shire,” he said.
“This doesn’t just affect us. This is going to affect other’s lives. Driving schools, our kids, our lives, our future, even the police force. Where are they supposed to hand their number plates in? Bendigo or Ballarat? You will have to drive even further with a defected car to go and get it checked.”
Local driving instructor and petition organiser David Hendrick-son acknowledged council showing support.
“We had a gathering to show support to the shire. Tonight’s meeting proved they were doing the right thing. It was heart and soul,” he said.