City aims to fix damaged road network

WORKS to repair one hundred and fifty damaged roads are underway following a major investment from the City of Ballarat.

With $3.4 million from the 2021/22 Budget, some ageing sections of the sealed municipal network are receiving asphalt and stabilisation patchwork, or resurfacing aimed at addressing issues including potholes while the weather is dry.

Residents contacted the city at least 2250 times about potholes last year, and improving roads was a key issue raised during community consultation for the most recent Council Plan.

With the budget to maintain local surfaces has been increased by $500,000, mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said “no-one wants damaged roads.”

“Council has listened to the community and is delivering major investment to keep our local roads safe,” he said.

“We know that filling a pothole with asphalt and gravel is a temporary solution in winter to make the roads safe for motorists.

“Patches only last so long, so to do these larger sections in a more strategic way is important to make sure the roads last the longer period.”

As to whether the roads budget is big enough, Cr Moloney said no.

“I don’t think you ever have enough money to make the roads meet the expectations, and that’s the challenge we all have,” he said.

“These budgets have to cover 80-odd different services across council, so the more you invest in roads, unfortunately, there’s a flow-on affect you have to other areas.

“By increasing the roads budget by half-a-million dollars, that has it at a point where it’s sustainable and can help us keep up, but of course, that will probably need to be reviewed every year.”

Breaking down the allocated funding, asphalting and stabilisation patching works are worth $1.4 million, and $2 million has gone to re-sealing.

Works on 5200 square metres of the surface of Wendouree Parade between the North Gardens and Forest Street were completed last week, at a cost of $190,000.

Over 1200 kilometres-worth of sealed roads and 390 kilometres of unsealed road surfaces are maintained by the City, while VicRoads manage major arterial roads like parts of Sturt and Skipton streets, and freeways.