Surf Coast Shire’s unsealed roads condition has improved, while its sealed roads will need to be addressed in future years, according to audit findings.
Surf Coast Shire Council undertakes condition audits every three years for its vital asset classes, including roads, and noted the 2022-23 Road Condition Audit during its August 22 meeting.
Councillor Adrian Schonfelder said the audit considered the condition of sealed and unsealed roads, car parks, and kerbs, including traffic control devices.
“The data received as part of the renewal audit on council’s sealed roads network shows that council needs to address its focus on sealed road surface renewal in upcoming years,” he said.
“It also showed that the council’s unsealed roads network has improved the road network condition, which will decrease the council’s unsealed road renewal backlog.
“There are increased traffic volumes on our roads and… we need to increase funding on roads as the visitor economy returns to normality.”
Cr Paul Barker said it was important for the council to get “back to basics” and focus on the four Rs of roads, rubbish and reducing rates.
“The audit data shows that poor road conditions are increasing, and good conditions are decreasing,” he said.
“If we continue on the path of big government spending and ignoring economic conditions, we can expect to see future road condition audits showing more negative results.”
Cr Mike Bodsworth said the audit alerted the council to future renewal works and how it can undertake future audits.
“There is an opportunity for us to check that the maintenance and management practices that we’re using are providing the best value for money and the best quality of results out on the roads,” he said.
