Upgrade planned for Shillinglaw Rd

Shillinglaw Rd, Drouin is expected to be constructed to a sealed surface over a staged two year period.

Baw Baw Shire has allocated $500,000 towards the staged construction of Shillinglaw Rd in its 2018/2019 budget. It is anticipated the full cost will be about $1.6 million over a two year period.

Detailed cost estimates will be prepared as part of the design process.

The proposed upgrade will consider the construction of a sealed road pavement, widening, kerb and channel, drainage and a potential footpath. The upgrade will require the removal and trimming of roadside trees and vegetation.

A petition signed by 58 people was presented to council in April, calling on council to undertake immediate grading works of Shillinglaw Rd.

The petitioners asked council to amend the current maintenance service levels of the road and also give consideration to widening the road to better cater for two way traffic.

Petitioners also suggested council lower the speed limit and consider provisions for pedestrians using Shillinglaw Rd.

A report to council said officers had successfully applied for the speed limit to be reduced to 60 kilometres per hour.

Officers told council development along Shillinglaw Rd had gradually changed from a mix of large farm and rural properties and direct access lifestyle properties to low density one acre residential properties on sealed roads that gain access from Shillinglaw Rd.

The report to council said traffic counts indicated traffic volumes varied between 157 vehicles per day at the western end to 279 vehicles accessing the eastern end.

Officers said grading works were undertaken in December 2017.

“Although the road had not yet reached the level that programmed works such as grading were required, further grading works were undertaken in April 2018.

“The upgrade of Shillinglaw Rd will reduce the impact of dust and decrease the level of sediment entering roadside outfall drains and waterways,” the report said.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said a lot of people used Shillinglaw Rd to access the new estate.

“It is a very well used road. I think this is fantastic news and it will be fantastic for residents along there,” she said.

Cr Tricia Jones said the petitioners asked for maintenance to be undertaken more frequently.

“There are sections of it that are bad and unsafe. People have to veer to the wrong side of the road to get around potholes.

“It is a busy road. It is a 1.6 kilometre length of road. I hope it can move up the matrix and be sealed as soon as possible,” she said.

Cr Darren Wallace said while he supported works being undertaken, he said Shillinglaw Rd was currently 11 on the priority list. “So why is it jumping ahead of 10 other roads.”

“Shillinglaw Rd is a little different to other gravel roads. Many years ago it would’ve been a rural road but the town has crept out and it will be treated differently.

“Why do we let developers get away with not upgrading these gravel roads,” he said.

Cr Wallace said if the intersections of Shillinglaw Rd with the new estate had been dealt with as part of the subdivision, then half of the road could be sealed.