Campaign grows to seal dust-plagued road

ST Leonards residents are ramping up their campaign to have an unsealed section of Ibbotson Road sealed, saying persistent dust is affecting their health, homes and quality of life.

Members of the Ibbotson Street Duster Busters collected more than 400 signatures on a petition calling for the 880m stretch to be sealed after years of frustration over dust generated by traffic.

 

The petition was presented to the City of Greater Geelong in March, but residents say the council declined to prioritise the upgrade despite plans shared by the council and developer TGM Group more than five years ago indicating the road would eventually be sealed.

Residents of the Bay Breeze Estate say dust from the unsealed section of Ibbotson Road has disrupted daily life for more than 12 months, leaving homes coated in dirt and preventing people from enjoying their outdoor spaces.

 

Local couple John and Claire Schloeffel have lived in the area for 12 months but say they have been unable to use their outdoor patio, hang washing outside or keep their car clean for more than an hour.

“We’ve got beautifully stained timber decks, and it’s just ruined from the dust from cars zooming down the road,” John said.

“I’m also undergoing cancer treatment, and I don’t want to choke up with a mouthful of dust.

“It really impacts us all in big ways and it’s not acceptable.”

 

Mick Leslie and Linda Fisk, whose Duchess Drive property backs onto Ibbotson Road, said the dust had become unbearable.

“You can’t even go for a walk around here,” Leslie said. “It’s taken the pleasure away from living in a nice area.

“It’s a major thoroughfare between here and Indented Head. The dust is just unbelievable at times – you can’t even see.”

John said the group met with councillor Rowan Story after lodging the petition, hoping the concerns would be raised with the wider council.

 

“We got back a standard reply that they wouldn’t do anything,” John said.

“Residents were given the option of paying half of the costs to seal it, however none of us actually live on the road, so that’s not fair.

“It outlines on a document from the City of Greater Geelong six years ago that Ibbotson Street was a priority to get sealed.”

 

The City of Greater Geelong said it considered safety, road usage, network function, long-term sustainability and community benefit when determining which roads to seal.

Although it acknowledges the dust generated from unsealed roads can be frustrating, the city has confirmed it will not prioritise the sealing of Ibbotson Road.

“Our investigation found the road is safe, functional and able to be managed in accordance with our Road Management Plan,” acting executive director of city infrastructure Allana

 

Bedggood said.

“Dust is a recognised characteristic of unsealed roads and is not a determining factor for the city when considering upgrading our unsealed road network.

“We’ll continue to maintain Ibbotson Street and engage openly with residents to gain insight into their concerns, explain the challenges involved and explore options.”