Ratepayers should not pay for road upkeep

Baw Baw Shire Council has declared “enough is enough" in using ratepayers money for annual maintenance of South Face Rd.

Annual winter maintenance of the road costs council up to $90,000. But councillors have said no more and want the State Government to pay for its own asset. Sealing of the 25 kilometre section has been a focus of council's advocacy efforts in recent years.

Current arrangements between council and Environment, Land, Water and Planning Department (DELWP) require council to pay for the annual maintenance.

But councillors believe they are using ratepayers' money unnecessarily to maintain a state government asset that should be sealed. Sealing could cost between $20 to $25 million.

The road provides a link between Mt Baw Baw Tourist Rd and the Thomson Valley Rd, as well as Erica, Rawson and Walhalla and an alternative route to Mt Baw Baw.

It was originally constructed in 2008 by DELWP to assist timber harvesting from native forests in the northern part of the shire.

A report to council said DELWP did not have recurring maintenance budgets for its road network.

"Although there are no ratepayers along South Face Rd, there was recognition by council that tourism and recreational users would be able to access this area from the east rather than travelling across to the Mt Baw Baw Tourist Rd through Noojee," the report said.

Officers said using council funds for the annual maintenance impacted activities council could undertake on its own network.

Cr Danny Goss said the road was originally established by DELWP to service the timber industry but without an ongoing budget council had been left paying for maintenance of the road for "years and years."

He said the estimated annual cost to council was $60,000 to $90,000 but it could be significantly more.

“What benefits has this provided to residents of Baw Baw Shire. We don't have that money. This is a recurring amount coming out of our operational budget.

"This is another government agency that won't come to the aid of Baw Baw Shire. It's their responsibility, it is classic cost shifting. They own it, they should maintain it.

"Of all the reserves and halls they own they don't put a cent in. They've got plenty of money, we don't.

"I would prefer to spend our ratepayers' money on our assets, not theirs. Enough is enough," he said.

Cr Joe Gauci said it was a simple exercise - "if you seal the road then maintenance won't be an issue."

He said South Face Rd ran to Mt Baw Baw, which wasn't even a part of Baw Baw Shire.

"It's not easy to come up with funds to fix holes. We are giving them 12 months notice to say enough is enough.

"I don't think they will close the road and I think there will be a solution," he said.

Cr Darren Wallace said council had to take a stand at some stage.

He said it was one of council's major advocacy priorities to have the road sealed but "by doing the maintenance every year we aren't sending a message to DELWP to pull their finger out."

Cr Michael Leaney said he was involved in lobbying the state government to open the road in the early 2000s.

He said the shire was keen to have the road open for economic reasons because South Face Rd carried 54 per cent of the vehicles going to Mt Baw Baw, which then boosts towns like Erica.

"After 14 years we have to say this is a great asset and is valuable but it isn't up to ratepayers to pick up the tab. In 2008 we were told it would be sealed in six years," he said.