By BEN CAMERON
COCKATOO residents may have to pay to seal an often “impassable” road if community dissatisfaction with the strip grows stronger.
Cockatoo resident Gillian Ryaner said Hillside Road had become a street to avoid for many years because of an inadquate surface.
“I have witnessed several potentially dangerous episodes,” she said.
“Some of the dangers I have witnessed have been where vehicles have been unable to get up the road, unable to progress, or to turn round, due to the corrugated and inadequate road surface.
“When this happens, residents are unable to use the road.
“Hillside Road feeds on to several other roads, so its correct maintenance is imperative.”
She said regular roadworks rarely improved the surface for more than a few days.
“After rain, or rubbish collection, it’s once more impassable,” she said.
“It may be that bitumen surfacing is the only way to provide a permanent solution.
“I doubt that Cardinia Shire would want blood on its hands in the event of residents being unable to use the road in the event of fire or other emergency, thus being unable to escape.
“I have also been advised that CFA trucks, laden with water, would be unable to use the road, in its usual, unsatisfactory condition, thus causing a very serious dilemma for those who live on it.”
Council Manager Assets and Development Paul Richardson said council would consider a special rate scheme if there was enough support from the community for the road to be sealed.
“Council will assess Hillside Road, Cockatoo for its potential for a special rate and charge scheme,” he said.
“Where there is considerable resident support for an unsealed road to be sealed, council may introduce a special rate and charge scheme.
“In the meantime, council will continue to maintain the road in accordance with its road management plan.”
He said developers were previously not required to provide sealed roads as part of new subdivisions which had resulted in the high number of unsealed roads in residential areas around the shire.
“Developers are now required to provide infrastructure including sealed roads, footpaths and underground drainage as part of a new estate,” he said.
“The costs of these works are often passed on to the new property owners in the land price.”
