By Tanya Steele
The Yarra Ranges council have unanimously adopted their unsealed roads strategy despite resident and councillor rumblings on how effectively it will be delivered.
Optimal maintenance, effective asset management and effective investment planning were the three guiding principles of the report and resident Joe Miles from Mount Dandenong came forward at the council meeting on Tuesday 10 September to voice concerns about the newly adopted strategy.
Mr Miles said there seemed to be no consultation whatsoever with residents.
“I’m expressing views I think I can quite rightly say, are shared also by my neighbours, quite a few who are long term residents as well,” he said.
Mr Miles said the new proposed framework is not massively different to what has existed in the past and questioned council on what hopes residents have in the future of seeing their problems with unsealed roads resolved.
As someone who lives on quite a steep and unmade road, Mr Miles said the timeliness of responses after flooding often leaves the road in an unsafe condition.
“Often we will get couriers that will refuse to come down this road,” he said.
Mr Miles was in turn questioned at the meeting by councillors on what exact issues were and what ideally could be done in his opinion.
“Pie in the sky it would be some sort of sealing of the roads with these steep roads, at least in sections,” he said.
Mr Miles said he could also suggest drain stabilisation.
“We, as residents can then help to maintain them – rather than the current existing deep earth drains which are almost impossible for us to maintain,” he said.
“A number of us are quite elderly up there – we’re trying and do what we can, but we can’t handle debris coming from further up.”
“A lot of the cause of it is the gravel washing off the road.”
As the meeting progressed a number of references were made by councillors to a funding plan which was cut by Federal government, which would have delivered a nine-year, $150 million funding plan for Yarra Ranges Council to improve road conditions in the Dandenong Ranges and nearby areas.
In the October 2022 Federal Budget the council was informed the funding for the roads for the community initiative program would be reduced.
By January 2023 the council received official notice confirming the reduction and as a result only $47.7 million of the original $150 million commitment will be honoured.
Hand in hand with the unsealed roads, residents have also recently mentioned gravel runoff in the recently delivered Yarra Ranges Council draft stormwater management plan.
“There were three comments received regarding drainage issues associated with unsealed roads,” read the draft stormwater management plan for 2024-2034 in the engagement feedback report.
“Feedback raised concerns about gravel runoff and blockages on the municipality’s unsealed roads, which affect local drainage systems.”
The officer response in this report stated that the road for community initiative was a critical infrastructure funding opportunity aimed at sealing roads across the municipality and simultaneously addressing localised drainage issues.
“Unfortunately, the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw its support has significantly impacted council’s ability to deliver the projects.”
”This review encompasses an approach to future road construction, taking into account factors such as abuttal density, maintenance issues, the council’s special charge scheme policy, and the availability of capital budgets for upgrading council assets across the municipality. “
At the recent meeting Councillor Andrew Fullagar said he acknowledged the importance and complexities of the unsealed road document with emerging issues such as climate change, emergency management, management of the road system and tightening resources.
“The key objectives is to optimise maintenance, improving the surface contracts and performance, using the best materials for the site, and that varies a lot right across the shire,” he said.
“We need a common sense approach…we should rely on the community more but overall, I’m comfortable with the recommendation to endorse this framework tonight.”
Cr Fiona McAllister said she had mixed emotions about the motion.
“This is really a framework to start to consult more deeply – we’re talking 700 plus kilometres of unsealed road,” she said.
“I’m hoping that this document will push that focus on proactive maintenance works.”
Mayor Sophie Todorov said the report also includes further opportunity for community consultation and petitions to be raised at council.
Cr Tim Heenan said despite being in support he did have a cause for concern specifically with dirt roads and emergency vehicle access.
“We’re going to have ongoing problems in weather events where we can’t get to all those roads.” he said.
“There might be older folk who can’t get in or out, along with emergency vehicles.”
Cr Fullagar said he would like to refer to people who submit to council.
“We see it as a cry for help, and we hear your frustration.” he said.
“Keep reporting those issues to us.”
“This plan should help us to be more efficient in planning our air the sealing program in the future.”
The motion was passed unanimously by the council.
