By Mitchell Clarke
Cardinia’s most notorious road, Kenilworth Avenue is set to finally become sealed, but residents aren’t holding their breath.
Dubbed the ‘worst road in Beaconsfield’, residents have faced a relentless battle in their bid for action on the dirt road, which can be likened to a mud pit in winter and a dust storm in summer.
On Tuesday 27 August, Cardinia Shire Council announced they expect stage one works on the pothole plagued road to begin in September, following a lengthy dispute between the developer and contractor.
As reported by the Gazette in March this year, stage one works would see the road sealed from Brunt Road to the Princes Highway underpass and include a kerb and channel on both sides, underground drainage, a concrete path on the south side and a shared concrete pathway on the north.
But fed up residents have heard the empty promises before.
Stacey Kennedy created a Facebook group to bring Kenilworth residents together and provide a united voice to instil action.
“We’ve had a number of delays and council haven’t been very transparent on what’s happening, they’re just saying there have been problems with Banriar Investments and the contractors,” Ms Kennedy said.
“They’ve been close to a solution before but they haven’t delivered it.”
Ms Kennedy said a completed project would allow her three children to begin playing outside again.
“I don’t let my children play outside in summer, my eldest has lung problems and all the dust can be so dangerous,” she said.
Meanwhile, Rachel Newman, who lives on the opposite side of the train line, is affected daily by the dust from Kenilworth which blankets her property.
“My place is just filthy, the outside of it is covered in dirt,” Ms Newman said.
“Honestly, council have been crapping on for ages, so I’d be absolutely over the moon if they did fix it, but I’m not really confident, not after the last few years.”
Council General Manager Infrastructure and Environment Peter Benazic said council understands the community’s frustration with the delay of the project.
“We are encouraged that an agreement has been reached, and are hopeful works will recommence as advised, from early September, pending traffic management approvals from the road authorities,” Mr Benazic said.
“We fully appreciate the community’s frustration with the delay in stage one works, and will continue to work closely with the developer and contractor, as well as progressing council’s plans for stage two in an effort to finalise this much-needed road project.”
It’s intended stage two works between the overpass and Coach House Lane will be carried out simultaneously with stage one.
