By Mitchell Clarke
A mammoth 10-year project to “modernise and improve” 111 kilometres of unsealed roads across the Cardinia shire will commence following a $150 million funding boost.
The Federal Government’s “unprecedented amount of money” towards the council’s ‘Better Local Roads Program’ is set to assist more than 3400 families in getting their roads sealed.
“This is a fantastic project which is going to greatly enhance the lives of many residents,” Cardinia Shire Council mayor Jeff Springfield said.
“Unsealed roads is one of the biggest problems for our residents… it’s really going to change the landscape of what it’s like to live in these areas.
“Sealing roads reduces dust and improves all weather access for residents and emergency vehicles.”
The townships set to benefit from the road sealing program include Pakenham Upper, Nar Nar Goon North, Beaconsfield, Cockatoo, Emerald, Gembrook, Avonsleigh and Guys Hill.
It follows three years of intense advocacy work from the Cockatoo 21st Century Roads Action Group (CRAG21).
“I’m just really thrilled that it is proceeding and in terms of safety, this will improve conditions for all residents,” CRAG21 secretary Sue Wales said.
Cardinia Shire Council and the Federal Government will cover 85 percent of the program’s cost however homeowners will be forced to contribute the remaining 15 percent.
It was expected the Special Charge Scheme would see landowners contribute as much as $16,000, however the council passed a motion to reduce that to just $7000.
“We were originally quoting a resident’s cost of about $16,000 to $18,000 per block, so this outcome of only 7000 as passed by council is just so much better than we were expecting,” Ms Wales added.
Federal funding has seen $5 million allocated for the first two years.
“This is a significant project,” Federal La Trobe MP Jason Wood said.
“It’s a big management job for the council and it’ll be a rollout over eight years.”
Another $5 million will be allocated in the third year before $15 million for the fourth and $25 million each year for years five to eight.
“Local residents have been fighting this for a number of years and it’s very unfair if you’ve been in the community for a long time and your road is unsealed and you’re getting all these new developments with sealed roads, you’re never going to catch up,” Mr Wood added.
“It was my focus to ensure these residents weren’t going to be left behind for another 80 years.”
Design work is underway to seal roads abutting schools and community facilities and the council’s community engagement team will begin contacting residents as per the consultation and information process.
“We know this is going to be a long-term project and understand many residents are keen for us to begin, however there must be a comprehensive street-by-street consultation,” Cr Springfield added.
CRAG21 surveyed about 350 households in Cockatoo and found about 80 percent were in favour or neutral about supporting the project.
The council anticipate physical works to begin by the end of this year.
For a full list of priority roads and more information, visit creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/better-local-roads-program.
