MAINTENANCE of Charters Towers Regional Council’s rural roads network for 2014-15 is on track and on budget.
With a budget allocation of $4.48 million to maintain the 3,806km of unsealed roads in the Council region, Councillor Roma Bailey, whose portfolio responsibilities include Roads and Infrastructure Management, has applauded staff for their efforts.
“Following the completion of the National Disaster Recovery and Relief Arrangements (NDRRA) road repair program in June this year at a cost of $47.7 million, Council’s rural road network was in the best condition it has been for decades,” Cr Bailey said.
“What we’ve done within our roads infrastructure directorate is to plan out a maintenance program that will keep the extensive rural road network in the best condition possible," he said.
Cr Bailey said a lot of planning had gone into setting up the roads maintenance program that will return the best value for money.
“A positive outcome from Council’s road crews being involved in the NDRRA road repair program was the upskilling that has occurred in the workforce.
“Council’s roads infrastructure crews are now much better equipped to carry out high quality road maintenance and repair work.
"Council employs four road gangs which are continually working in different areas of the Council region, carrying out the scheduled maintenance program."
A recent visit to Bowie Station at the southern end of the Council region by the Mayor, Councillors and senior staff, brought forward positive comments from property owners on the condition of the road network in their area.
Director of Roads Infrastructure Cameron Scott said a road maintenance crew has been working for a period of weeks in recent months on Lake Buchanan Road and other roads in that area.
“It was certainly pleasing to get that positive feedback from the property owners down there,” Mr Scott said.
“We in roads infrastructure are working hard to ensure that ratepayers are getting very good value from the roads maintenance budget," he said.
"Tied to that is the goal to maintain the unsealed road network to a high standard. With almost six months of the year gone, our maintenance program is on track and is also right on budget.”
