Roger Redford has lived in Reed Crescent, Wonthaggi, for 10 years but was unaware that his street has a temporary seal. By Catherine Watson
THEY may be potholed and breaking up but history shows Bass Coast residents are reluctant to give up their sealed roads.
In 2013 residents of Pioneer Bay fought tooth and nail to stop the council ripping the temporary seal off Kallay Road.
More recently residents of a section of Queen Street in Wonthaggi have opposed the council’s plan to remove their seal.
So a plan by our council to “unseal” 30 roads across the shire over the next three years is set to test neighbourhood unity.
Between 2005 and 2007, dust suppressant seals were trialled on unsealed roads across Bass Coast as a low-cost, temporary solution to reduce dust and improve amenity.
THEY may be potholed and breaking up but history shows Bass Coast residents are reluctant to give up their sealed roads.
In 2013 residents of Pioneer Bay fought tooth and nail to stop the council ripping the temporary seal off Kallay Road.
More recently residents of a section of Queen Street in Wonthaggi have opposed the council’s plan to remove their seal.
So a plan by our council to “unseal” 30 roads across the shire over the next three years is set to test neighbourhood unity.
Between 2005 and 2007, dust suppressant seals were trialled on unsealed roads across Bass Coast as a low-cost, temporary solution to reduce dust and improve amenity.
Twenty-three of these roads have been reinstated back to gravel roads since 2013. Thirty roads remain. A recent independent audit showed that all are in poor to very poor condition, long past their use-by date.
After Kallay Drive was unsealed, Pioneer Bay residents paid for a full roads and drainage scheme at a cost of $20,000-plus per property.
After Kallay Drive was unsealed, Pioneer Bay residents paid for a full roads and drainage scheme at a cost of $20,000-plus per property.
Bring it on! Roger Redford says the poor condition of his stretch of Reed Crescent has long been a bugbear. “I thought it was just the council. They keep filling the holes with gravel and 10 minutes later it’s all over the place and the holes are empty again.” He says he would be happy to pay $4000 to see the seal removed and replaced with a permanent seal. “I think it’s a good idea. I’d like to see it happen. "I just don’t think they’ll get everyone to pay.” |
This time round the council is offering residents a cheaper alternative. Pay up $4000 per property and the council will lay a permanent seal. The road will then be incorporated into the sealed road network and maintained at the council’s expense.
The catch is that 100 per cent of owners in a street must agree to pay up or the reseal will not proceed. A report by council officers acknowledges that many people purchased their properties without realising their road had a temporary seal. “The tailored upgrade option proposed in the Policy achieves a strategic balance between minimising cost to property owners and Council and improving road safety, accessibility, and visual amenity.” Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead said the policy will provide a safe and maintainable road surface either through a return to gravel or through an upgrade option should property owners choose to take it up. |
“This Policy gives us a way forward for these streets now that the seals have come to the end of their life and we’re committed to working with property owners along these streets to come to a solution.”
Anticipated Schedule of Removal Works
Anticipated Schedule of Removal Works
Property owners on affected streets will be contacted directly, and the broader community are also invited to have their say at Engage Bass Coast until April 15.