Serious concerns are being raised about the deteriorating condition of our dirt roads and the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s ability to maintain them.

The [Naracoorte Community] News visited some of the dirt roads in Naracoorte to see for itself their deteriorating conditions.

Some of the dirt roads lack constant patrol grading and are riddled with potholes, putting at risk the many drivers who use these roads to access their farms or connect to the main road.

This newspaper The [Naracoorte Community] News requested the council enlighten or update the ratepayers on its road work plans, particularly for dirt roads.

Chief executive officer Trevor Smart revealed the unsealed road network was under some pressure at the moment, largely due to the unseasonal dry conditions, which have so far prevented the council from commencing its patrol grading program.

“All unsealed roads within our council area receive varying rounds of patrol grading, and this depends on the type of road as identified within the council’s Asset Management Plan and the adopted road hierarchy,” Mr Smart said.

He said the council maintained a 1,635km road network, which included 1,044km of unsealed roads, and had a total replacement cost for unsealed roads of approximately $61.07m (as per the Asset Management Plan).

“We undertake an annual program of road maintenance and construction, which includes patrol grading and re-sheeting projects on identified roads within our adopted annual budget,” Mr Smart said.

Shortly, he said the council would undertake a review of its roadworks efficiency and plant and equipment, and this would provide an independent opinion on our approach, methodology, and other options.

“We are also undertaking an independent assessment of our whole road network, and this will provide us with an opinion of the condition of all of our roads, including a revaluation of our roads (what it would cost to renew or replace them).

“This is required on a five-year cycle and will further inform council on what our future actions (short, medium, and long-term) may be to maintain and improve our road network.”

Mr Smart said the council understood the importance of our road network and welcomed feedback from ratepayers and residents.

“We also understand that some ratepayers and residents will choose to provide this feedback via local media, but by council not having direct feedback on specific roads makes addressing any given issue more challenging.”

The [Naracoorte Community] News asked Mr Smart: Do we spend enough on our road network?

“I consider that we do, but also acknowledge that some will consider that we should spend more…and that is part of the council’s challenge of balancing the competing community needs across all service areas against our finances and a balanced rating approach.”

For the 2023–24 financial year (as of March 31, 2024, report to the council), the council has allocated:

• Road Maintenance – General – $686,200.
• Road Maintenance – Unsealed – $1,166,265
• Unsealed road reconstruction – $1,549,200

This article appeared in the  Naracoorte Community News.