Hume calls on parties to invest in roads as traffic rises 20%

Published on 06 November 2026

Hume City Council has called on all major political parties to invest in road upgrades following the release of new data showing traffic volumes have increased up to 20 percent in the past year. 

Latest traffic counts show more than 43,000 vehicles use Donnybrook Road daily – an increase of 20 percent since 2025 and 32,000 vehicles use Sunbury Road daily – a 17 percent increase.

Other priority roads have been getting further congested over the past year with Mickleham Road Stage 3 up 12 percent and Somerton Road up 5 percent to 29,000 per day.

Rapid population growth in Sunbury and surrounding areas continues to push the corridor past its limits.

Without timely duplication of Sunbury Road, continued population and employment growth will place increasing pressure on the corridor, worsening safety risks and daily travel delays. 

Council has welcomed a $524m election commitment from the Liberal National Coalition to deliver the next stage of the Donnybrook Road upgrade and the Victorian Labor Party’s $494 million commitment to duplicate Somerton Road between Roxburgh Park Drive and Fleetwood Drive. 

Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor, Cr Carly Moore:  

“Council is calling on all major parties to invest in road upgrades so local communities don’t miss out. 

“Sunbury Road is a vital link between Sunbury, Melbourne Airport, key employment precincts and the broader Melbourne road network. 

“The Hume community needs duplication of Sunbury Road between Melbourne Airport and Bulla–Diggers Rest Road to improve safety, reduce congestion and future‑proof this key regional route.

“We welcome separate funding commitments for Donnybrook Road and Somerton Road but these have not been matched by all major parties. 

“We’re calling on all parties to provide certainty that long-awaited upgrades will be delivered, regardless of the election outcome.”