Road complaints fall on deaf ears
Mr Rees is managing director of A1 Group, a civil construction company.
He says his constant complaints to the shire about the condition of Weerong Rd fall on deaf ears.
The road, a designated B double route, is narrow, has potholes and the drains are not cleaned causing flooding at times of heavy rain, according to Mr Rees.
The road in Drouin’s industrial estate, runs between Drouin-Longwarry Rd and Longwarry Rd.
Mr Rees said more than 300 people are employed at the various businesses, with more than 130 employed at his business.
“There are 20 businesses on this road with many requiring servicing by B double trucks. It is a designated B double route by Vic Roads yet it is barely wide enough for a truck and car to pass.”
“It is made worse by the potholes.
“There isn’t even any sewerage for our businesses and therefore we have nowhere for our storm water to go.
“I pay top rates for my site, yet the shire has barely spent two bob here,” he said.
Mr Rees said the situation was made worse by the amount of traffic using the road because of new developments and industries including Drouin West Timber and new businesses in Darcan Way which runs off Weerong Rd.
He said when potholes were repaired it was a patch job and within weeks they revert to the way they were.
Mr Rees, who has international visitors to his business, said it was embarrassing.
“And I am not the only one with that problem we have key employers here and this is how we are treated by the shire.”
Mr Rees said the road had barely six metres of seal.
“As a developer when I do residential subdivisions I am required to build roads 12.2 metres wide which is fair enough, but where is the consistency,” he asked.
“Even if they bothered to clean out the drains it would be an improvement.
“They are full of water and it even floods across the road two to three times a year.
“I have spent millions in this town but the shire treats me like an unwanted dog at a barbecue,” he said.
Baw Baw Shire was asked to comment but did not reply before publication.