Damage ‘risks lives’
LIVES are at risk from roads in Bass Coast Shire badly damaged by desalination plant traffic.
Councillors once again slammed VicRoads and the State Government for their inability to deal with the ongoing problem.
“Very dangerous” and “utterly disgraceful” were some of the expressions used in the council chamber last week.
Cr Gareth Barlow said he had seen chunks of bitumen go through somebody’s windscreen and the mayor Cr Peter Paul, witnessed a “very nearly serious incident” at Kilcunda when a truck lost two tyres on the Bass Highway.
“The tyres ended up on either side of the road; the wheels missed cars, fortunately,” he said.
Cr Barlow declared the Bass Highway needed upgrading before desalination construction started and the council raised the issue during the desalination plant’s environment effects statement phase.
But no one took any notice.
Cr Barlow accused the State Government of negligence and VicRoads of irresponsibility.
“We’ve all seen pot holes with patches put down yesterday, failing today. The community is paying a heavy burden in costs,” he said.
“The highway is disintegrating in front of our eyes. South Dudley Road is the same, patches disintegrate in front of our eyes; it’s a safety issue. It’s utterly disgraceful. Repairs aren’t adequate.
“We’ve been banging on this drum for months. I’m not seeing best endeavours (to fix it all). It’s tragic.”
Cr Veronica Dowman said the State Government continued to refuse to be proactive and massive damage was occurring.
“We asked for assessments before desalination (construction). We requested upgrades prior to desalination. The government did not agree. This could have been avoided. Not enough has been done; not enough will be done,” she said.
Cr Dowman said council’s then infrastructure director Steve Piasente, had written to desalination construction company Thiess Degremont in March “seeking a proactive approach”.
“Council advice was ignored,” she said.
There had, she added, been some improvement in recent weeks, but the whole disaster could have been avoided.
Some roads have had to be returned to gravel surfaces because the bitumen was chopped up too much.
Councillors discussed the damaged roads when receiving a report on desalination road maintenance and traffic management.
The report said council has employed a consultant to inspect roads impacted by the project.
“Council officers have ongoing concerns regarding the time taken to repair road damage,” the report continued.
“Stewart Road at Woodleigh and Turnbull Woolamai Road at Kilcunda, have both had sections of the sealed road returned to unsealed state.”
There have been ongoing discussions with VicRoads and the Department of Sustainability and Environment about the state of South Dudley Road.
That thoroughfare is of major concern to Cr John Duscher.
He told his colleagues that and other roads that are not major arterials that are being used by desalination trucks “are deteriorating beyond any idea you think they’d get to”.
“We do have a number of really dangerous roads and community concern is getting louder,” Cr Duscher said.
“Buses with young people are going over South Dudley Road and people going about their ordinary business are at risk. There is evidence of vehicle damage.
“Loch/Wonthaggi Road is nearly as bad as South Dudley Road. We have a major claim on this government.”
Mr Piasente said he and his staff had been trying to work constructively with the desalination contractors, but “there has been tardiness in doing repairs”.
“Things have improved due to the pressure thanks to council and the community,” he said.
Following a recent deputation from the council, State Roads Minister Tim Pallas, allocated $1.25 million to repair Bass Highway between Anderson and Inverloch.
Regional VicRoads director Harvey Dinelli, said some of that had already been done.
The remainder of asphalt patching works “will continue up until Christmas, weather permitting”.
“Sealing works .. will start around February next year.”
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