❓ A parliamentary question regarding funding allocation for road resurfacing, its impact on backlog reduction, and the cost-effectiveness analysis of resurfacing approaches by Main Roads. The answer indicates Main Roads doesn't earmark funds specifically for overdue resurfacing but prioritises projects based on an annual assessment.
AnsweredQoN 834Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2016 Auditor General report 'Maintaining the State Road Network - Follow-on Audit' page 7, which says that "between 2012 and 2016, Main Roads received additional funding of $236 million to address the maintenance backlog. This funding was used for overdue resurfacing as well as new resurfacing needs, reducing the overall backlog value by $78 million and the average surface age by a year since 2010", and "...Main Roads is yet to analyse the cost effectiveness of the focus on resurfacing and how this compares to other approaches", and I ask: (a) what funding has been allocated specifically to address overdue resurfacing works since the 2017-18 financial year and what has been the impact of this funding on reducing the overall backlog; (b) what was the average state road network surface age as at 30 June in each of the following years: (i) 2017; (ii) 2020; and (iii) 2025; and (c) in relation to the comment about cost effectiveness, has Main Roads now undertaken the suggested analysis, and what were the results or what is the current Main Roads position on the issue?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport
Response time
7 days
(a)-(c) Main Roads does not allocate funding specifically for overdue resurfacing work. Instead, it conducts an annual assessment of resurfacing requirements across the network, considering both overdue works and those newly due. Projects are then prioritised to maximise outcomes within the constraints of the available maintenance budget.
The average age of asphalt surfaces is 11 years, and 8 years for chipseal surfaces.
The average age of asphalt surfaces is 11 years, and 8 years for chipseal surfaces.
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