Local council roads will get a massive boost with the State Government unveiling earlier this week a $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program as part of a record $941 million regional roads investment.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, launched the program, which comes with strict requirements to ensure money is actually spent on local roads, on Tuesday.

Projects funded under the new program will include rebuilding deteriorating roads, sealing gravel roads, bridge strengthening, intersection improvements and safety upgrades.

These grants come on top of the biggest road maintenance blitz regional Victoria has ever seen - $333 million is being invested this year to repair, rebuild and resurface1500 kilometres of country roads - creating more than 650 construction jobs in regional Victoria.

“We’ve heard what regional Victorians have had to say about their local roads, now we’re investing $100 million over two years to help local councils deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys,” Mr Donnellan said.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, however, says the State Government is replacing what had been in place earlier with a smaller offering.

“Labor axed the successful $160 million Country Roads and Bridges Program (CR&BP) when it was elected, only to now offer a smaller fund and for a shorter amount of time,” Mr Bull said.

“Unlike the Country Roads and Bridges Program, Labor’s program requires councils to apply for funding from the government, and doesn’t limit it to the 40 rural councils that need these funds the most.

“The Liberal Nationals’ $160m CR&BP will guarantee $1m of funding for Victoria’s 40 rural councils over four years, giving them the certainty to plan for the long-term, to do the work needed on the roads that need it most.”