Drivers fund fluorescent paint to highlight potholes as repairs lag in Victoria

In regional Victoria, a motorcyclist named Steve Panozzo has taken it upon himself to spray fluorescent paint on potholes, aiming to alert other drivers while road crews fall behind. After spending his own money on paint, he launched a crowdfunding page in March that has attracted about 70 donors and generated more than $2,700. Panozzo reports that drivers sometimes slip him cash under his helmet or escort him to stores to buy more paint, emphasizing that motorists should not have to fund road safety themselves.

The Department of Transport and Planning reported that over 252,000 potholes were patched in the 2025/26 financial year, yet locals such as Cindy Penny and real-estate agent Andrea Lever describe recurring damage and dangerous conditions. With road upkeep now a prominent election topic, the Victorian government has earmarked over $1 billion for maintenance, while the opposition vows a $5 billion investment if elected. Residents fear that without substantial improvements, avoidable accidents could claim lives.