The purpose of the Road Management Plan is to establish procedures and systems for the management of public roads. Council is a road authority under the Act. As such, it is responsible for carrying out the management functions on local roads i.e. all roads within the council area, other than main roads such as VicRoads arterials.

Under the Act, a road authority shall carry out its road management functions based on policy and operational objectives. The Act requires Council to set appropriate standards for the discharge of its road management duties based on available resources. It also requires Council to monitor its performance in delivering the functions. The plan also includes details of the management system that Council implements to inspect; maintain and repair public roads for which it is the coordinating road authority or the responsible road authority.
The plan also specifies priorities adopted by Council after due consideration of available resources. It also includes any matters that a relevant Code of Practice specifies should be included in a road management plan.