General News
26 September, 2025
New VicRoads petition prepared
A new petition will be put to State Parliament in the coming weeks, aiming to reverse the funding model allocated to Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) to deliver VicRoads services ahead of an upcoming public meeting.
This petition states a request to the legislative council to call on the State Government to reverse the new funding model and ensure all services currently provided by Maryborough VicRoads remain.
The community has rallied to save services since CGSC declared earlier this year it could no longer afford to continue operating Maryborough VicRoads under a new funding model.
As a result, nearly 3000 signatures were obtained and eventually recognised by CGSC in the August 28 council meeting.
The petition was organised by local driving instructors David Hendrickson and Sophie Tribe, who have again organised a collection of signatures, this time in a format that can be accepted by State Parliament.
Mr Hendrickson feels the community’s response to the proposed loss of VicRoads highlights the detriment left if its services are no longer available.
“We want to be supported, there’s power in numbers, so we have got to have faith here,” he said.
“It would be the closure of VicRoads if signatures are unaccounted.”
Under State Parliament guidelines, this petition will only require 2000 signatures on a hard copy, but a digital version will also be created. Any Victorian can sign the petition, even people under 18. A person cannot sign on behalf of another person, or sign it twice.
After the petition closes, it will be presented by a member in Parliament, marking it as officially recorded, with copies provided to other relevant ministers by the chair of petitions, and a report will be presented.
More information and oppor-tunities to sign this petition will be available at next Monday’s public meeting, where concerned locals can ask questions and share their own concerns.
The session will take place in the performing arts theatre at the Maryborough Education Centre on Monday, September 29, from 7 to 9 pm.
Speakers on the night will include Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, Western Victoria MPs Bev McArthur and Joe McCracken, Leader of The Nationals Victoria Danny O’Brien, Rod Brown from Central Victorian Transport, Shane Dellavedova, a spokesperson from Hollands Bus Service and Dunolly Historic Vehicle Society secretary Thea Hillier.
Some Central Goldfields Shire Councillors will also be attending.
The meeting is expected to be attended by community members and businesses as far as St Arnaud and Charlton.