The demand comes after a state government satisfaction survey found metropolitan councils scored higher overall compared to regional counterparts, largely due to the parlous state of country roads.

But several mayors, including Pyrenees Shire's Ron Eason, attributed this to a lack of government funding that has been simmering away for years.

“Government funding, not only state but federal as well, limits our abilities to keep roads in good conditions,” he said.

“We’re doing everything we can without sufficient funds.”

Municipal Association of Victoria president Mary Lalios said the survey showed a correlation between higher performance scores where the government invested in local infrastructure, and a decline in council performance where state investment had been withdrawn.

Moorabool Shire mayor David Edwards said: “there is a real big inequity across the state - we’re not spending enough in regional Victoria”.