General News
19 August, 2025
Council reviews VicRoads service amidst uncertain future for community
Numerous concerns have been raised on the impact of potentially losing VicRoads services in Maryborough following changes to their statewide funding model.
Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) are currently reviewing the Maryborough VicRoads Agency, considering all implications for staff, businesses, residents and the community.
“The VicRoads service has existed in Maryborough for many years as a sub-office hosted and administered by CGSC, providing a comprehensive suite of services, including driver-licence testing and vehicle inspections,” they said in a statement.
“VicRoads has previously reimbursed council for all costs associated with this service, covering staff wages, rent, utilities and cleaning.
“VicRoads wrote to council in April 2025, advising the funding would change from July 1 to a transaction-based model.
At council’s request, an interim hybrid funding model was introduced to finish at the end of October to enable a full review of the service and its sustainability.”
A spokesperson from VicRoads said they are aware CGSC are navigating the recently announced funding model.
“The Maryborough VicRoads Agency is operated by the Central Goldfields Shire Council under a longstanding partnership arrange-ment. It is not directly managed by VicRoads,” they said.
“We understand the council is reviewing its position in light of a new funding model, which is part of a broader statewide update.
“VicRoads hopes the council continues to provide the services that local residents rely on.”
R U Safe Driving School instructor and owner David Hendrickson has assisted countless locals in learning to drive and obtaining a drivers licence.
He has major concerns extending to small communities beyond Maryborough who are reliant on the nearby VicRoads operating.
“At the moment, we service the Central Goldfields Shire. Outside of that, we service Clunes, Maldon, Creswick, St Arnaud, Dunolly, Wedderburn, Charlton, Inglewood, Bridgewater, Bendigo and Ballarat,” he said.
“In the past 18 months, we’ve had something like 270 drive test passes that is just the people we can count. So we have no idea how many kids have actually passed it.
“We would still be able to do driving lessons, but then the kids are going hto ave to drive across to Bendigo or Ballarat to get a test. There is something like a 12 week wait for driving instructors in Ballarat.”
He also fears there are members of the community who simply can’t make a trip almost an hour away for a permit or licence test.
“How many people are going to take their kids and have time off work and school, and have that four hour turn around if they go to Bendigo, Ballarat or wherever,” Mr Hendrickson said.
“If we are taking them to Bendigo, Ballarat, Kyneton or Ararat, we are looking at a four hour trip. By the time we get over there, we do an hour’s lesson in town, an hour’s test and time to get back.”
Mr Hendrickson said numerous concerns have also emerged among local businesses who rely on the availability of VicRoads services within Maryborough.
“There are going to be some huge implications for local businesses. It would nearly put the L2P out of work. There will be an impact on farmers, bus drivers or those with heavy vehicles, their vehicles are inspected and registered here,” he said.
“The taxi services, mechanics in town that do road worthy checks, the car rental place, this is just in our small community business-wise.”
VicRoads said they are aware some services such as licence photos, driving tests and vehicle inspections require an in-person visit, but are encouraging customers to use some of their services online, over the phone or via the myVicRoads app.
But Mr Hendrickson said many customers will still be left behind.
“The electronic banking or testing you have to do, how can we expect an elderly generation to get involved with that technology? How are they going to work their way around that?” he said.
“If you go to VicRoads on a Monday through to a Thursday, the car park is full. If you walk into the office there are lines blocking off the shire counter to get to VicRoads.
“They are lining up in the morning waiting for them to open. They are lining up at lunch time. On Fridays when they aren’t open, people are still trying to get in.”
VicRoads said no formal decision has been made to change the services available in Maryborough in the near future.
“VicRoads remains committed to supporting the Maryborough community and has been working constructively with the council to ensure services continue,” they said.
“The site remains open and operational, and no decision has been made to reduce or relocate services.”
However, CGSC said they would be unable to subsidside the “hundreds of thousands” of dollars it would cost.
“We understand that losing all or part of the service would have a significant adverse impact in the CGSC and neighbouring commu-nities,” they said.
“However, it’s not possible for a small rural council to subsidise a VicRoads service at a cost to ratepayers of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.”