By BEN CAMERON
SEVERAL gravel roads in Kooweerup, Pakenham South and Maryknoll are “jawbreakers” according to a long-time Kooweerup resident.
During question time at a council meeting on 16 March, Southern Rural Water veteran field officer Frank Crameri, who through his work has traversed Cardinia Shire roads for decades, raised concerns with the condition of three roads – McDonalds Drain Road, Boundary Drain Road and Olsen Road – and several in Catani which were “in a very poor state”.
“I understand it’s a big job for council (maintaining local roads),” he said.
“But I think those ones (in Kooweerup and Pakenham South) are bloody shockers, they just about break your jaw (when you drive over them).
“McDonalds Drain Road has deteriorated something chronic, it’s shocking, it’s got worse.”
General Manager Assets and Development Mike Ellis admitted it remained an “ongoing challenge” to keep roads to a high standard during the warmer weather.
“We’ve got something like a bit over 900km of unsealed roads… throughout the municipality,” he said.
“At this time of year it is a real challenge to ensure they are maintained to a high and trafficable standard, just because of the dry period.
“At the end of the summer you lose all the moisture content in the pavement… creating rutting and potholing.
“We have regular inspections to ensure the roads are maintained.
“But because of the length of the network, it is an ongoing challenge at this time of the year.”
He said wet weather would be welcomed by council’s roads.
“As soon as we get some moisture back into the pavements, our grading efforts will be a lot more effective,” he said.
“Because of the length of our network, we’re trying to look at every innovative way to maintain the roads in a good condition.”
He said council had completed a major gravel re-sheeting program of 35 km of unsealed roads.
