By Olivia Condous
Melton councillors have questioned the progress of a long-awaited road upgrade in the municipality’s south eastern region, but have been unable to confirm if the project will be completed within the current financial year.
In a Melton council meeting on July 18, three councillors put questions to officers regarding the progress of the $5.8 million Troups Road South, after the council also heard several questions from residents at the meeting.
Troups Road South is an unsealed road located in Mount Cottrell on the border of the Melton and Wyndham municipalities, that has been the site of many road accidents.
Residents have been lobbying to have the road sealed for years, and Melton council committed to beginning construction on the project at the beginning of this year, even preparing the construction site.
But due to planning delays, construction on the project is now due to commence in late 2022, according to council officers.
In the July meeting, council officers confirmed that while the initial planning stage included road surveying, vegetation assessment, geotechnical assessment and civil design, it did not include flood modeling which had caused the delay.
Despite questioning from resident Michelle Spiteri, who is a member of the Troups Road South Action Group, and councillor Steve Abboushi, officers could not confirm whether the project would be completed within the 2021-22 financial year.
City of Melton acting general manager of corporate services Luke Shannon said the council was doing everything it possibly could to get the project underway.
“I can’t give you the absolute detailed construction dates at this point, but rest assured we’re doing everything we can to get that project mobilized,” Mr Shannon said.
Council officers also addressed resident questions on the grading of the unsealed road, which was previously graded weekly but is now being maintained monthly.
City of Melton acting general manager of planning and development Sam Romaszko said the road was still being inspected weekly.
“If the road is inspected and found to be unsafe, then additional grading will be undertaken accordingly,” Ms Romaszko said.
Council officers did not provide any further detail on when construction would commence.
