Dedicated to repairing potholes

DID you know the City of Greater Geelong is responsible for managing a vast network of roads, including more than 2040km of bitumen and asphalt and over 330km of gravel roads? We consider this important and core Council work.

Managing such an extensive network is no small feat, and the City has set aside more than $22 million dollars for road renewal this financial year.

Ensuring our roads are safe is a vital part of our work at Council, and our teams are working hard to renew, rehabilitate, and repair roads across the region.

This significant investment underscores our commitment to keeping our roads safe and well-maintained.

Across the Brownbill Ward alone $4.5 million has been allocated for roadworks, with crews hard at work locally.

In addition to the road budget, Council has allocated more than $4 million to footpath renewal across the region.

The City of Greater Geelong has four dedicated road maintenance crews working year-round to endeavour to ensure our roads remain in good condition.

These crews are supported by inspectors who proactively check roads for issues and respond to notifications from the community.

In the 2023-2024 financial year alone, the City fixed 5814 potholes.

Potholes are a major concern for all road users and the City is committed to swift and effective repairs.

Pothole repairs are completed in line with our Road Management Plan. This document can be found on Council’s website.

The City also provides a regular grading program for unsealed roads, ensuring our dirt roads continue to deliver a safe service as per our Road Management Plan.

Rain is the primary cause of road defects, including potholes. Water seeps into the road through small holes or cracks in the asphalt, weakening and shifting the foundation.

Traffic on wet roads exacerbates this problem, leading to the formation of potholes.

The City’s maintenance team is aware of these challenges and is committed to identifying and repairing potholes as quickly as possible to prevent further damage and avoid costly repairs down the line.

As well as having a comprehensive road management program to maintain this critical infrastructure, the City of Greater Geelong delivers this work in a sustainable way.

Each year at our depots, a crushing machine recycles about 12,500 tonnes of waste asphalt from our road and construction projects, transforming it into road base for future use.

By recycling waste asphalt, the City is not only reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill but also conserving valuable resources and reducing the environmental impact of road maintenance activities.

Road management in Greater Geelong involves collaboration between the City and the Department of Transport and Planning, with community input to help prioritise maintenance work.

Your involvement is crucial to the success of our pothole management program. By reporting road issues, you help us keep the roads safe for everyone.

For more information or to report a report a road or traffic issue, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/roads.

As always, I am happy to speak to anyone on Council-related matters. Phone 0455 532 006 or email [email protected]

Cr Eddy Kontelj

Brownbill Ward,

City of Greater Geelong