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New Chief Roads Officer To Lead Record Maintenance Blitz

19 August 2018

Experienced Geelong Engineer Paul Northey has been appointed to lead Regional Roads Victoria, a new VicRoads division to oversee the biggest road maintenance blitz the state has ever seen.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan today announced that Mr Northey will take up the new role of Chief Regional Roads Officer in September.

Mr Northey has lived and worked across regional Victoria for decades, including senior engineering roles at Barwon Water and Coliban Water in Bendigo.

He has extensive experience delivering essential infrastructure services and understands the critical importance of a reliable and safe road network to regional Victorians.

As the head of Regional Roads Victoria, Mr Northey will oversee the Andrews Labor Government’s record $941 million investment in country roads – with more than 1,000 kilometres of road to be repaired, resurfaced or rebuilt across country Victoria this year.

Regional Roads Victoria will be a division of VicRoads, based in Ballarat, with a presence in regional centres across the state – solely focused on giving regional Victorians roads they can rely on.

Regional Roads Victoria has been established to provide a strong coordinated approach to road maintenance across the state – ensuring regional Victorians can enjoy safer, faster and more reliable journeys.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Roads Safety Luke Donnellan

“We’ve invested close to $1 billion this year to fix Victoria’s regional road network – and Paul will oversee that record program of road repairs, rehabilitation and resurfacing across the regional network.”

“Since coming to office we’ve more than doubled spending on road maintenance, Paul will have a crucial role in making sure that this massive investment delivers the outcomes regional Victorians need.”

Quotes attributable to VicRoads Chief Executive Michael Malouf

“Regional Roads Victoria marks a significant shift in the way VicRoads manages the regional road network and we welcome Paul to this key position.”

“Paul will hit the ground running in September as we get on with fixing regional roads across the state.”

Quotes attributable to in-coming Chief Regional Roads Officer Paul Northey

“I have lived in regional Victoria for around 30 years, and I know first-hand how important safe and reliable roads are to the livelihood and productivity of regional communities.”

“I’m looking forward to visiting communities across the state to talk about Regional Roads Victoria, and to learn more about their priorities as we upgrade the regional road network.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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