Paul Northey is the chief operating officer of Regional Roads Victoria
THE newly created VicRoads department, Regional Roads Victoria has its chief operating officer with engineer Paul Northey set up to take up the new position in September.
Ms Northey, formerly a Geelong-based engineer will take charge of the new department and be tasked with the implementation of the state government’s $941 million regional road pledge.
As RRV head, Mr Northey will oversee the investment in country roads – which will see more than 1000 kilometres of road repaired, resurfaced or rebuilt across country Victoria.
Mr Northey will head up the division which will report directly to the VicRoads chief executive.
RRV will also see up to 10 new jobs which will make up a country roads call centre to provide assistance to VicRoads’ regional divisions.
Mr Northey said having lived in regional Victoria for 30 years, he understood to needs of country road users.
“I know first-hand how important safe and reliable roads are to the livelihood and productivity of regional communities,” he said.
“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.”
Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said My Northey would bring the experience necessary to deliver essential infrastructure services.
“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,” Mr Donnellan said
“Paul will have a crucial role in making sure that this massive investment delivers the outcomes regional Victorians need.”
The department will set up in the Ballarat CBD in September and will eventually move to the GovHub development, due to open in 2020, the first confirmed department to move to the new site.
VicRoads chief executive Michael Malouf said RRV would mark a “significant shift” in the way VicRoads manages regional roads.
“Paul will hit the ground running in September as we get on with fixing regional roads across the state,” Mr Malouf said.
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