Resident queries road works on Butlers Track

A Butlers Track resident wants answers from Baw Baw Shire about maintenance of the road.

Geoff Williames submitted a number of questions to council’s recent meeting.

Mr Williames wanted to know who was responsible for Butlers Trk and what was the intended length of time between grading unsealed roads to maintain the crown and avoid erosion, corrugations and pot holes.

He also questioned the annual budget set aside for grading Butlers Trk, who gets paid to undertake the work and who is responsible for ensuring the works are undertaken.

“As the ratepayers on Butlers Track have had long term involvement with road construction and maintenance, would council consider a rate offset for the Butlers Track ratepayers to effect the necessary grading and re sheeting on an annual basis?

Council officers provided a written response to Mr Williames’ questions.

The response said the shire’s roads were maintained in accordance with council’s road management plan (RMP) which sets out council’s obligations in terms of managing its road assets, including inspection regimes, maintenance and repairs.

The RMP outline the various types of defects that can occur on the road network and the relevant maximum response times for any remedial maintenance works required to be undertaken in order to rectify these defects.

“MACA Infrastructure commenced the current routine road maintenance contract on July 1, 2015. They are responsible for undertaking routine road maintenance activities in accordance with the contract and the RMP.

“This contract is a lump sum contract and all works are to be carried out in accordance with the contract specification and RMP requirements.

“Council’s road network team undertake sample inspections of roads across the road network. These include roads which have recently been inspected and roads where works have been completed.

Mr Williames was told additional capital works such as the crushed rock resheet undertaken in 2013/2014 were undertaken outside of this contract and managed by council.

Officers said an inspection of Butlers Trk had been undertaken and a number of defects were logged.

“These defects, including grading have been programmed for rectifying in accordance with the timeframes specified in the RMP.

“The condition of the road is being monitored and further remedial works undertaken if required.

“Council’s Road Network team are continuing to work with the road maintenance contractor in the development of the gravel road grading program and to improve the consistency of the maintenance works undertaken.

In response to his question about rates offsets, Mr Williames was told “rates are a statutory levy and therefore not designed to be applied for offset purposes.”