Group prepares pothole presentation

WITH potholes dotted about the region, members of the Advance Meredith Association are calling on people to let them know what they think are the most prominent ones around town.

Having compiled a list of potholes over the past two weeks, AMA members are aiming to present their findings to Golden Plains Shire.

The pothole audit started after AMA members reached out to the community in June via Facebook asking for people to highlight what they’d like to see done for the town.

Group secretary Kerrie Kruger said it was the most frequent response they’d received.

“Potholes just became the big thing,” she said. “Everyone commented on them. A lot of these roads have been like this since before the floods last year.

“Some people have said they go on for miles down their road. Some have said their tape-measure isn’t long enough.

“The Shire has filled in a couple over the last few weeks but nowhere near all of them.”

A petition to be coupled with AMA’s presentation was released earlier this week and can be signed at Meredith Rural and Pet Supplies, Meredith Roadhouse, and at the post office.

Ms Kruger said she expects their findings to be sent to the municipality by the end of next month.

AMA committee member Bev Loveday has been one of the instrumental people marking and mapping the town’s potholes as part of the initiative.

She said they’re part of a larger issue with Meredith’s roads.

“The thing around here is there’s no footpaths here which means we don’t have gutters,” she said.

“So, the issue is once it’s wet you can’t drive off the road and if you do, you hit a pothole so it’s become quite dangerous. We also have children and adults walking on the roads.”

Ms Kruger said Meredith’s Midland Highway/Wallace Road thoroughfare, managed by VicRoads, is a major pothole hotspot and that they’ll be writing to them as well.

“A few people have said they’ve made complaints to VicRoads as individuals but they’ve heard nothing,” she said.

“As Advance Meredith, as a voice, we might be heard.”

The group’s initial list of ideas from the community was passed on to Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle.