Council
12 June, 2026
Motorists must be compensated
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell is demanding answers and compensation for motorists after more than $81,000 worth of vehicle damage was reported during roadworks on the Princes Highway at Illowa over just three days.
More than 70 motorists contacted Ms Britnell’s office reporting smashed windscreens, chipped paintwork and other vehicle damage caused by loose stones and gravel left on the highway following road maintenance works.
Of those motorists who have already paid for repairs, the total cost exceeds $45,000.
A further $35,000 in quoted repairs is yet to be undertaken, bringing the known cost to affected motorists to more than $81,500.
Ms Britnell said the true cost was likely to be far higher, with interstate travellers, visitors and local residents yet to report damage or discover the full extent of repairs required.
“At a time when Victorian families are already being squeezed by relentless cost-of-living pressures caused by a growing tax burden imposed by the state government, the last thing they should be forced to pay for is vehicle damage caused by failures on a state-managed road,” Ms Britnell said.
“This incident raises serious questions about government management of the roadworks. Motorists suffered damage while no loose stone warning signs were in place.”
She claimed the stones were then swept from the road, and only afterwards were warning signs erected.
“That sequence of events points to a serious failure in roadwork management and requires a full explanation.
“My office was inundated with reports from affected motorists, including damage to buses, private vehicles and even a Victoria Police highway patrol vehicle.”
She said she had alerted the Insurance Australia Group about this event and the number of effected motorists, raising the possibility of collective action to identify accountability.
“It is unreasonable that individual drivers may be forced to pay insurance excesses for damage caused by the government’s failure to properly manage roadworks,” she said.
“If a member of the public is responsible for a road incident, they must be held responsible.”
She also questioned why affected motorists were being pushed towards the VicRoads compensation process when many claims may fall below insurance excess thresholds, leaving drivers to bear the cost.
Ms Britnell is calling on the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to immediately investigate the incident, explain why appropriate warnings were not in place, and establish a process to fairly compensate every affected motorist.
