Rough road for ratepayers

As a ratepayer in the Cardinia Shire we were wondering what our rates actually cover.
We do not live in the town so, therefore, do not have natural gas, we only have tank water not a town supply and our roads are not sealed.
On the rates notice it says ‘Parks and Gardens’ we do not have them either.
So what do we get?
We are situated off Cardinia Road which, might I add, is an absolute disgrace, when it rains it floods. Why? You might ask!
I have noticed that the edges of the roads have grass growing that is higher than the road, so how can the water run away?
There are spoon drains along either side but instead of the water running into them they are overgrown and clogged up with grass.
There are lakes/water run off areas near the on-ramps to the bypass but the water doesn’t run down into them.
No! it pools on the road making it extremely dangerous and creates large holes in the roads which then causes damage to our vehicles.
There is no lighting on this road so unwary drivers end up in the drains quite often.
It is very scary driving down Cardinia Road in the dark and suddenly find yourself in four feet of water which has happened to me on three occasions.
You do not see it until you are in the middle of it, then you just pray and hope you come out the other side.
Yet still the council does nothing!
Bould Road and Duncan Road are graded regularly of late usually just before it rains which turns it to slush.
I do not think the council realises that Chasemore Road actually feeds both of these roads as it is the shortcut from Cranbourne to Pakenham so there is a large amount of traffic use this road.
The potholes at times are almost large enough to hide a small car in.
In one particular spot, on a blind corner might I add, the road is so low that the water in the adjacent paddocks is right to the roadside edge therefore the road is being eroded away rapidly and many vehicles have ended up either in the drain or in our front paddock.
We have repaired the fence many times.
We have livestock in the paddock and if they get out and are injured or a vehicle hits them, according to the law we are liable. How does that work?
The council needs to seriously have a look at our roads in this area.
I have lived in a lot of country areas and have never had roads that are so poorly maintained as they are here and to think we are only 11 kilometres from Pakenham, Berwick and Cranbourne.
We have spoken to the council on numerous occasions regarding just the grading of the road and their reply is always the same that we are on a “grading rotation” and they will get to it in time.
Someone will either be killed or seriously injured if something is not done soon.
We have towed many vehicles out of the drains and I do not want to come across an accident that could be avoided simply by the council doing their job as isn’t that why they are elected into council to help their town and their locals.
Ray Sherratt and Wendy Catlin,
Cardinia.