Potholes have become a growing political issue in Victoria as the state prepares for its November election. According to the National Transport Research Organization, Victoria has the worst pothole problem in Australia. The situation has worsened due to an increase in heavy vehicles on roads and the effects of climate change. In response, the Victorian government has announced an additional $352 million to double its pothole repair target to 500,000 by January 2027. Part of this funding will come from delaying three planned level crossings by a year. Meanwhile, the opposition Coalition has pledged $5 billion over four years for road maintenance, including a goal of repairing one million potholes. Nationwide, the Snap Send Solve platform reported a 27% increase in road and pothole issues between June 2025 and June 2026. However, this data comes from a community-based reporting system and does not represent a full survey of road conditions. As a result, it's difficult to determine exactly how much Australian roads have deteriorated. Despite this, media and public reports suggest that pothole problems are becoming more severe across the country. In Australia, state and territory governments are typically responsible for maintaining major roads, while local councils manage most local roads. The federal government provides substantial funding but generally does not handle road maintenance directly. Potholes are often the visible sign of deeper issues in road construction. Roads are made of layered materials, with an asphalt surface on top of crushed rock or other supportive layers. Over time, heavy traffic, temperature changes, and moisture can cause cracks in the asphalt. Once cracks form, water can seep into the road, weakening the underlying layers and leading to the formation of potholes. This process can be accelerated by weather conditions and local geology, such as moisture-sensitive soils that expand or contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Climate change is also affecting road conditions. Research using data from over 450 weather stations shows that pavement temperatures vary widely across Australia. This variation is important because temperature influences how asphalt ages and cracks. Heavy trucks place more stress on roads than regular cars, and climate change can increase the frequency of extreme weather, which further damages roads. While some recycled materials, like reclaimed asphalt and recycled glass, show promise in improving road durability, they must be carefully selected to balance environmental benefits with long-term performance. Prevention is the most effective strategy for addressing potholes. Sealing small cracks early, maintaining drainage, and renewing aging surfaces can prevent more serious damage. However, repairing existing potholes requires more than just filling the surface. For long-lasting fixes, damaged material must be removed, the area prepared, and new asphalt properly compacted. In some cases, deeper layers of the road may need repair or reconstruction. Emerging technologies, such as AI and remote sensing, are being tested to monitor road conditions more effectively, but these tools are still in the early stages of development and use in Australia.