Is This "Pot Hole" Era?

iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 08:51
Last edited 03/09/2024 - 09:18

I have never seen so many significant pot holes on our roads in my lifetime.

Honestly, you would come across the one bad one which you would report, but because their are so many of these now it's actually not possible to report them all.

Why are our councils/roads not doing anything about this?

These span from South East Melbourne all the way to the Northern suburbs in Wallan when I visit my folks.

Am I dreaming this or are you all noticing this as well in your suburb/states?

Edit:
Roads Minister: Melissa Horne (VIC)

“Figures released by Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, show resurfacing spending dropped from $201.4 million in 2022/23 to $37.6 million in 2023/24. This 81 per cent cut in funding to resurface roads on top of their already poor condition, can only ever end one way – even worse conditions.

Automotive

Comments

  • RolloTomasi on 03/09/2024 - 09:03
    +3

    Perhaps close to the city it's a new thing. I live in CQ so we are very well accustomed to the major highways being absolute moonscapes.

    It even goes so far that you can't order stone benchtops here because no company will insure them for travel on the highways. Your only option is to take the risk yourself.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2024 - 09:04
      -2

      You sure it's not https://www.dewr.gov.au/engineeredstone

    • Bruceflix on 03/09/2024 - 09:11
      +7

      28x heavier or 28% heavier? Didn't know a Telsa weighed 30T

      • JimmyF on 03/09/2024 - 09:32
        +1

        Didn't know a Telsa weighed 30T

        Its built like a tank, so that makes sense it weigh as much :)

        • JimmyF on 03/09/2024 - 10:04
          +2

          It was supposed to be an exaggerated tongue in cheek dig at all the anti-EV misinformation that gets spewed in this forum

          Then you missed the mark, as your comment appears as just another exaggerated anti-EV misinformation post that gets spewed in this forum.

        • Murkymerv on 03/09/2024 - 10:31

          Like a two ton heavy thing !

    • JimmyF on 03/09/2024 - 09:32
      +4

      not paying their fair share of the fuel excise

      The fuel excise doesn't go to roads directly, it goes into general revenue.

      and because EV’s are 28 times heavier than a normal car, they ruin the roads…

      LOL… lets look at some weights then

      2024 Toyota Camry Kerb weight ranges from 1,500 to 1,655 kg
      2024 Tesla Model 3 Kerb weight ranges from 1,761 to 1,854 kg

      Not really much between them. So how about one of the best selling Utes on the road?

      2024 Ford Ranger Kerb weight ranges from 1,789kg to 2,431kg

      Yeah heavier than the Model 3 EV. So based on your views, the Ranger should be taxed far more as it is heavier and ripping up the road.

      • Sammy2000 on 03/09/2024 - 09:49
        +3

        Yes. More trucks and SUVs on roads built for suburban conditions.

        • JimmyF on 03/09/2024 - 10:02
          +8

          Its funny that they go on about how heavy EVs are and then ignore the massive SUVs on the road. Those RAM 1500 are 2,800kgs! Before a load is put in the back.

          • Sammy2000 on 04/09/2024 - 11:43

            @JimmyF: Don't forget how eco-friendly SUV's are /s

          • smalltime0 on 04/09/2024 - 17:34
            +1

            @JimmyF: What load?
            All I ever see is 1 or 2 people in one.

            • JimmyF on 04/09/2024 - 17:54
              +1

              @smalltime0:

              All I ever see is 1 or 2 people in one.

              LOL fair take…… But some of those paxs look like a wide load! 😂

        • JimmyF on 03/09/2024 - 10:13
          +1

          It was "sarcasm"

          and you missed the mark, as your comment comes across as just another exaggerated anti-EV misinformation post that gets spewed in this forum. You lacked anything that would tell the reader is was otherwise.

            • JimmyF on 03/09/2024 - 10:23
              -1

              @pegaxs:

              There was nothing in my comment that alluded to it possibly being sarcastic?

              Honestly it blended into the dribble that gets spread here about EVs, so champ, yeah you need to be a bit more sarcastic next time.

              Just leave that feel good neg and move on, it's not worth getting into a tizzy over it.

              As you wish, but you seem to be in a tizzy as everyone didn't read your comment like you thought it would be read.

        • Murkymerv on 03/09/2024 - 10:34

          Government allows this , it's not your neighbours that are the problem , it's the government. Direct your anger at who's really to blame .

    • smartazz104 on 03/09/2024 - 09:47
      +16

      Yes we should tax vehicles based on weight, might kill off all the emotional support trucks…

      • HeWhoKnows on 04/09/2024 - 16:03
        -4

        They ARE taxed in weight already!
        Thats why different vehicles cost more or less to register (tax)

        What planet are you on?

        • mearkat7 on 07/09/2024 - 13:34

          They are but the current bracketing is quite poorly setup. A 1500kg hatchback pays the same as a 2500kg yank tank. There needs to be a better split, even if it's just 1500-2000 and then 2000+

          Heck a 3000kg technical isn't even double the cost of a 1500kg one to register… Should be magnitudes more.

          • Euphemistic on 07/09/2024 - 15:23
            -1

            @mearkat7: Bigger vehicles are also indirectly taxed more via fuel excise. They use more fuel, therefore pay more tax.

    • GordonD on 03/09/2024 - 09:51
      +8

      Damage to roads does not increase linearly with vehicle weight, it increases exponentially.

      Different weight light vehicles don't cause much different amounts of damage to the road surface. The vehicles that do cause a lot more damage are heavy vehicles, and especially multi-axle heavy vehicles which have axles that have to be dragged around corners.

      So what has caused more damage than EVs is the shortage of truck drivers that has resulted in companies using heavier freight vehicles more, and being allowed to use trucks like B-doubles further into city areas where the road surface quality is poorer because it is maintained by councils not by state highway authorities.

      • Murkymerv on 03/09/2024 - 10:38
        +1

        Or maybe the bitumen quality isn't what it used to be , after all , vehicles aren't as heavy as they once were .

      • freefall101 on 03/09/2024 - 11:56
        +4

        I remember reading that a b-double does something like 20,000 times more damage to the road than a car per km. Basically we build the highway system for trucks and it has the added benefit of taking cars, not the other way around.

        But any government willing to actually tackle the problem would be sunk. It'd be like the NBN, they'd have to pay out billions to trucking companies to move their freight onto a new system that would cost tens of billions to build, while also telling the public they're going to strip that money out of road spending. It would also span multiple elections, so likely the other side would kill it/change it midway through and make a mess of it.

        • smalltime0 on 04/09/2024 - 17:37
          +1

          lol, Labor starts National Road/Rail-Transport Co. promises to deliver next-generation transport solutions, Coalition comes in - uses it to pay their mates, replicates the infrastructure they were suppose to be replacing… for Labor to come in and silently deliver more or less what they promised
          electorate: "tHeY'rE bOtH aS bAd As EaCh OtHeR"

      • HeWhoKnows on 04/09/2024 - 16:06

        That does not explain OPs issue.

        OP is in VIC and in case someone (including OP) doesn't know, the Vic state government is DEAD BROKE!

        Thanks to Dictator Dan who has graciously done a runner.

  • AngoraFish on 03/09/2024 - 09:09
    +8

    Pot holes are inevitable when the weather gets wetter, water gets under the road surface and asphalt starts breaking down. It's the nature of the material.

    It's typical pot hole season in Melbourne right now, and there's only so much the road authorities can do to keep on top of them.

    Ultimately the solution once pot holes start becoming more common is to completely re-do the road, however that's an extremely expensive exercise, so the most reasonable solution is to keep the road going a bit longer by cold patching where you can until this is no longer a viable option. This will result in a bit of bumpiness but should give the patch at least a couple more years life in most circumstances.

    Of course there is something that governments can do to reduce this, they could raise taxes and your rates and start ripping up road at the earliest sign of deterioration, however most people I suspect would then start complaining about government ripping up perfectly good roads and wasting taxpayer money.

    Compared to most other countries I have driven in, and even other states of Australia, Victoria generally does a bloody good job of keeping on top of this stuff.

    If a pothole is an actual safety hazard, report it and it should be reviewed in a day or two. Otherwise, accept that a bit of bumpiness is the cost of not having to pay for gold plated roadways.

    • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 09:16

      I completely understand what you mean about pot hole season, but usually the pot holes that warrant not fixing are not significant.

      These are roads literally ripped away, when you have cars swerving to avoid them, you know they are both visually and structurally bad.

    • HeWhoKnows on 04/09/2024 - 16:09

      Whilst this is true the main issue is also a lack of funds.

      The Vic Government is DEAD BROKE

      So they will delay and cut corners wherever they can.

      They appear to only spend money in areas where thery want to win or retain seats.
      Sad is it is in Vic.

      For the record the State govt is responsible for the main roads.
      Councils are responsible for suburban streets.
      But if you travelling across Melbourne as OP does, then its mostly a state government issue

  • Bruceflix on 03/09/2024 - 09:10

    Live in SA and have to agree. The state of the roads is horrible.

    • ESEMCE on 03/09/2024 - 09:25
      +3

      I mean, yeah, SA roads have always been some of the worst in the nation, but try driving to Melbourne!
      Our side is actually quite decent (especially by SA standards), but the quality decreases almost as soon as you cross the border, with the worst stretch from Horsham to Bacchus. It's a minefield!
      And that's Federal Road, not State!

  • sss333 on 03/09/2024 - 09:15
    +1

    Was worse a couple of years ago when we had more rain here

  • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 09:18
    +1

    Just added an edited part.
    “Figures released by Roads Minister, Melissa Horne, show resurfacing spending dropped from $201.4 million in 2022/23 to $37.6 million in 2023/24. This 81 per cent cut in funding to resurface roads on top of their already poor condition, can only ever end one way – even worse conditions.

    • ESEMCE on 03/09/2024 - 09:21

      OK, that's specifically about resurfacing, what about overall budget?
      Is the overall budget unchanged (or even grown) but the breakdown has skewed away from resurfacing?

    • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 09:47
      +3

      I doubt your quote is 100% 'from' the minister, though.Looks more like opposition steered spin, ending with a political comment.

      There's more traffic,period. Road building/maintenance is contracted out to OS opportunists. eg Fulton Hogan in the recent past, in some states have been laying roads that peel in temps above 32C.Tax payers foot the bill to fix. Great $$$ earner for some.

      Overall you're right. Roads are getting worse. Everything is. Too many cars,too many humans,too many opportunists cutting corners for profit. It's the capitalist way.
      Then there's the political reality.Everyone whinges about roadworks and delays, so action is prioritised to appease, not to fix it once,and fix it well. Follow the trail of brown paper bags, you'll find they don't land at the feet of just one political ideology.

      • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 11:12
        +1

        I will say. Melissa Horne is actually useless at her job. It is the reason why she keeps going from portfolio to portfolio.

        I am a Labor voter as well, but she makes me cringe with how she even got her position.

        Also it clearly states "figures released" so you cannot actually lie about those figures if they have directly come from the source.

        "Figures released by Roads Minister Melissa Horne in Parliament showed road resurfacing spending had dropped from $201.4 million in 2022-23 to $37.6 million in 2023-24."
        It was tabled to Parliament.

        • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 11:37

          Who tabled it? And why?
          She might be useless compared to her peers. But then again, maybe she needs to be schooled in the LNP art of pork barrelling? You know, 4 lane main streets with rows of tulips and rec-centres worth millions for a few Nat voting redneck footy players

          • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 11:47
            -1

            @Protractor: They are both as bad as each other. All politicians are scum tbh. They online line their own pockets.

            • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 11:56

              @iNeed2Pee: Funny how you say you vote ALP. Because the 'all the same' mantra is 100% LNP excuse, in my lived experience.
              I will give you this though. We may as well have Dutton as PM.Albanese has gifted him every policy he wants via his too scared to blink jelly backed cowardice. Hawke or Keating would have stared him down after putting him back in his box, with blistering intellectual take downs. Dutton,Canavan Christensen and Joyce would be soggy undied in the corner with a real Labor PM. Right now the LNP are in power in Australia, and that's bad news for anyone who wants a cohesive society. They exaggerate and dog whistle to place the punters in constant MSM driven peak anxiety.It won't change back in our lifetimes. Not all politicians are scum, but lots more would be more ethical if we had better laws, and adult rules in parliament, and pre electoral registration mental suitability tests on candidates. Nobody can explain yet, why drug & alcohol tests don't apply to the ppl who steer our destiny.

              TLDR: Peter Dutton is Albo's mouth and spine

              • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 12:03

                @Protractor: 100% agree. Albo has actually been a massive let down. I just wish we actually make the "promises" count.

                Maybe we should start with a law that those promises have to be done otherwise you lose your job.

                • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 12:52
                  +1

                  @iNeed2Pee: It's an easy fix, which we'll never see.Anyone / any party running has to provide a fully costed list of polices, no later than 3 months before an election, that form a contract if elected. Nothing politicians as public service workers to deliver a contract.There should be no BS or emotive political advertising. Just policies and costs.
                  As it is the rules are so loose and rewards so high for politicians we currently attarct the laziest,delegator type parasites and sociopaths. Look to the USA for proof. I'd also proffer that the ONLY reason the govt went after the CFMEU now, was they got wind that the other side was about to expose some juicy evidence to the media to use in the next election. One minute Albo and Chalmers ay Dutton is a facist, the next minute they want to enact his policies or do backward somersaults on their own ideology. Gutless.

                • smalltime0 on 05/09/2024 - 10:39

                  @iNeed2Pee: We have that system, it's called elections?

    • freefall101 on 03/09/2024 - 12:29
      +2

      Fix your attribution, that quote is Tim Bull, not Melissa Horne. He's a National's member and, not surprisingly, is bullshitting the numbers. Overall road asset management spending increased from $592 million to $702 million between those two periods and he's only focusing on what's labelled "resurfacing" - which decreased due to flooding.

      Potholes aren't fixed via the resurfacing spending. You don't resurface a stretch of road to fix a pothole.

      • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 12:53
        +1

        That's the very point I was making. Laughable that a Nat, the kings of the coloured spread sheet pork barrels, wants to table a costing FFS.

      • inertia8 on 06/09/2024 - 10:12

        They don't resurface, they poorly fix the potholes for years, contractors earning bank, then it finally gets resurfaced properly… Only for different department to approve some infrastructure works that see the new surface immediately get channel(s) gouged out of it and they get poorly repatched to start the whole shit show over again..

  • ESEMCE on 03/09/2024 - 09:20
    +1

    I assumed it was just the result of a run of very wet years culminating in the Murray River Floods.
    I wouldn't be surprised if they're simply still catching up from the backlog of work that created..

  • 7ekn00 on 03/09/2024 - 09:30

    But people vote for these policies … you essentially get what you voted for …

    • smartazz104 on 03/09/2024 - 09:47
      +1

      People are dumb and vote for whatever they think will benefit them.

  • Sammy2000 on 03/09/2024 - 09:52
    +1

    Based on the title I figured this was in Victoria.
    Too many big trucks (and SUVs) used on suburban roads, some holes have been filled but these are starting to come up again.
    Are road workers are too busy on "big build" projects to do it properly?

  • Euphemistic on 03/09/2024 - 11:37
    +1

    Wet weather, reduced servicing because its more expensive so the same $ doesnt go as far. More traffic, heavier traffic.

    Potholes are always a problem, especially after an extended period of wet weather. The wet weather has two problems. 1. Wet roads means more holes. 2. Wet workers means less effective repairs. When its dry, theres less holes appearing and more work done to fill them up.

    Combination of factors, including whatever form of perception bias means you are noticing more potholes just recently than you have in the past.

    • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 11:53

      Absolutely not perception bias. The fact I am swerving more to avoid shows me their is more potholes.

      • freefall101 on 03/09/2024 - 13:09
        +2

        I can't tell if this is a self-deprecating joke or not.

      • Euphemistic on 03/09/2024 - 14:21

        No. It shows you are more aware of potholes. Nothing more.

        You may be more aware you are swerving because someone told you they wrecked a tyre. Maybe there was a news report about more potholes. Maybe a local road has reached its end of life and getting a few more than usual so you are noticing more in other roads.

        • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 14:27

          I apologise. I believe i got the Perception Bias vs Confirmation bias mixed up.

          I understand what you are saying, I also agree with the wet weather because a factor. I guess in years past I have not seen as many as I have this season.

          • Euphemistic on 03/09/2024 - 14:31

            @iNeed2Pee: Coming from some experience in a council, although not for a few years now, it is absolutely cyclical. Wet season, more holes then they get filled, its dry for a while then the roads fall apart again after the next wet spell.

            You noticing there seems to be a lot might be true, but it doesnt mean 'more than ever' just more than you are used to.

            Ever gone to look at a new type of car? Hardly see them before you think about it, then you start noticing them everywhere. They havent just appeared, you've just noticed more.

            • iNeed2Pee on 03/09/2024 - 14:44

              @Euphemistic: So do you think they will be fixed?
              I might document some of the worst ones and lets see if the council/vic roads make an attempt to fix them.

              • Euphemistic on 03/09/2024 - 15:49

                @iNeed2Pee: Yes, theyll be fixed. If you see a big one, report it. Dont 'complain', just make a factual report of a pothole being at xxxx.

                My experience is that main roads are monitored more closely and will have a time period in which holes must be repaired depending on severity. They often have dedicated crews that travel the network in a specific area filling and repairing holes. Our council was contracted to look after certain main roads, while the highways were looked after by the state road authority. Main roads were actively inspected for stuff like potholes and damaged signs either weekly or fortnightly.

                Then there are local roads, controlled and maintained by council. Our council has pothole crews that basically roam the suburbs filling what has been logged and what they find along the way. Once a hole is logged theres a timeframe to fix, 6 weeks from memory. But also depends on severity.

                You also need to remember that a council doesn't 'have to fix' what it dosnt know about yet. So log it with the council which will start a countdown to have it repaired. It could be that they checked your suburb last week and itll be 2 months before they even know about a new pothole.

                Our council certainly didnt mind getting a pothole logged, but if a customer went on a bit of a rant about their "whole suburb's roads" being stuffed it had less effective response. A logged hole went into the system and was allocated for action. A customer rant meant a whole lot of hassle to respond to them AND work out exactly what holes were a problem before they were fixed - in the same timeframe as a hole that was logged specifically.

  • Uncle Roger on 03/09/2024 - 12:13

    In St Kilda/Caulfield, 100% noticing an increase EVERYWHERE! It's crazy haiayaaaa

  • netjock on 03/09/2024 - 12:52

    You can thank the CFMEU. Take a full $1 and 50c going to people who do nothing but deserve a second chance. Then you can thank the government who seems to like to spend money until they go broke and come begging to the tax payers.

    • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 12:56
      -1

      You will note that the CFMEU suspension is only a Clayton's suspension. All the crooks will gravitate to the non construction areas Watch this space. The brown paper bags & stand-overs will keep rolling along.

      • netjock on 03/09/2024 - 13:55
        +1

        True.

        Reminds me of the joke about someone from the UK visiting Australia and the border force asked "any criminal convictions?" and the person said "I didn't know it was still a prerequisite!"

  • Joshminey on 03/09/2024 - 14:25

    I live in Newcastle pot holes have been quite bad the last couple weeks.

  • pharkurnell on 03/09/2024 - 16:00
    +1

    $200 per time to get a bent mag straightened… dont ask me how I know 5 times.

    I've noticed an explosion of "ROUGH SURFACE" signs.. cheaper than fixing the road with the millions the speed cameras make….

    • Euphemistic on 03/09/2024 - 16:18
      -2

      Sounds like you need to look out the front, not at the redline on the tacho.

      • pharkurnell on 03/09/2024 - 16:19
        +1

        Doesnt matter…
        You could run the Australian Rallycross championships on the Western Port freeway

  • Ghost47 on 03/09/2024 - 17:23

    Why are our councils/roads not doing anything about this?

    I want to believe it's because they're useless, but it's possible they're waiting for drier weather before fixing potholes. Maybe this Spring they'll start on repairs. Although I don't think it's been that wet in Melbourne this past Autumn and Winter anyway?

    Am I dreaming this or are you all noticing this as well in your suburb/states?

    Nope I've noticed an increase in them too especially post COVID, although they're somewhat shallow which is better than if they were really deep. I've noticed at an intersection near me that the road is actually starting to rut, it's not bad right now but if it gets worse and isn't looked at early then it'll be costly because once the road ruts the entire section needs to be dug up and repaved. It seems like the roads are just more susceptible to them these days because I don't remember ever seeing this many potholes 5-10 years ago. I'm not sure if it's crappy workmanship or materials or because the weather is more humid or I'm just imagining things, feels like the roads are being enshittified along with everything else.

    There's just too many cars on the roads these days too, the most popular vehicle on our roads are utes followed by SUVs and then there's probably more EVs on the roads these days, and all of these vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles. That coupled with an exploding population and wet weather is leading to this seemingly never-ending post-COVID cycle of potholes. I have a feeling potholes are going to start eating more and more budget in the coming decades.

    I wonder how the state of the roads are in Sydney, they were pretty bad a couple of years ago but this year they hit their annual total rainfall by June which wouldn't be good for potholes.

    • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 17:55

      Nah, they're still useless. Choose to believe. Evidence is overwhelming. It's where productivity goes to die.

      • Ghost47 on 03/09/2024 - 18:03

        Lol, I wouldn't mind working for one actually because it sounds like it could be rewarding.

        • Protractor on 03/09/2024 - 20:39
          +1

          Need the rest? You won't work much. You'll head back to base after lunch if you work outside.If youre in admin you don't work.You just walk around with paper in hand ignoring other staff and anyone at the counter.
          It certainly attracts lazy parasites. All reward for very little effort and maximum delegation. Local govt should be scrapped.It's a swamp.

          • Ghost47 on 03/09/2024 - 20:43

            @Protractor: Lol it sounds like a dream to me. Beats trying to constantly hit KPIs for a company, and if you don't hit them you get a poor performance review. What's the point in working hard for a company when it's really c-suite who profit the most from everyone's hard work? What's the point in working hard when achieving your dreams is becoming more and more out of reach out of no fault of your own except shitty government policies? A lazy cushy job sounds like a dream honestly.

            • Protractor on 04/09/2024 - 09:40

              @Ghost47: Govts can't fix the square peg of far too many humans, feeding into a capitalist model while consuming a finite planet. Or can they?

              That said. Go for it. Get a council job. Enjoy the dream.Provide feedback

              • Ghost47 on 04/09/2024 - 14:48

                @Protractor: Humans have definitely overshot the carrying capacity of the planet. We can see that already due to issues like overfishing and topsoil erosion. People aren't willing to give things up for the sake of the planet and I doubt governments if they implemented policies that people would follow along quietly.

                • Protractor on 04/09/2024 - 17:31
                  +1

                  @Ghost47: It's game over for natural systems. And therefore us.
                  We have about 50 liveable (mildly tolerable circumstances) years max (that's me with glass half full) before chaos , or maybe sooner, the way social media is lurching us towards totally individualised demands (ultra entitled, unachievable aspirations)
                  As an atheist it's ironically amusing how it all resembles foreboding biblical portents. Justice ,I guess?.Karma methinks. The science in me sees the inescapable and inevitable equal & opposite reaction we had to have.

  • Porker on 03/09/2024 - 17:34

    As informed above, Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), formerly VicRoads, is out of money for road maintenance such that potholes are the result. As such VicRoads (the licencing branch) is generating income from things like selling unique or special numbered number plates etc.

    DTP have started charging for other items that previously they didn't in order to account for the lower / low budgets.

    • ESEMCE on 04/09/2024 - 09:02

      That "quote" is a selective pot shot and nothing more, it's obvious from the language used. Consider yourself mislead, not informed by such a comment and always analyse any politician's language for the giveaway clause that they're spinning a story!

      "show resurfacing spending dropped from $201.4 million in 2022/23 to $37.6 million in 2023/24."

      (obvious language highlighted just in case you missed it on the nth read)

      This demonstrates that "resurfacing" works and only resurfacing works spend has decreased.
      Actual roads spending has increased according to @freefall101 further up this thread, after inflation, the amount of work is probably similar, but spending is definitely not down.

      You don't resurface a stretch of road to fix a pothole.

      • Euphemistic on 04/09/2024 - 10:00

        You don't resurface a stretch of road to fix a pothole.

        While this is true, resurfacing a road BEFORE it falls apart will prevent a lot of potholes. Its routine maintenance that should be scheduled at a known interval. Asphalt has a lifespan of 8-12 years. Resurfacing before the surface cracks up and water infiltrates the base and you dont need major rehab works, just the resurface. If the base is stuffed, resurfacing is a waste of money becasue it wont hold up.

        Road surfaces have a lifespan. Exceed it by too much and it increases the amount of money required to make the road good again.

        Cutting on resurfacing spending is a short term financial saving only. Longer term, it's a bad idea.

        I used to work in road resurfacing, and for a council.

        • ESEMCE on 04/09/2024 - 10:08

          That all sounds logical.

          You may be able to answer my next question then.
          Is "resurfacing" terminology for all situations where the entire tarmac of a lane or entire road is ground up and possibly technically "replaced", or is it just terminology where a new top layer is added over the existing road surface like it sounds? (if that occurs at all)

          Therefore, is "resurfacing" actually relevant much at all?
          Thinking like a politician, was 2022/23 an unusually high expenditure year for "resurfacing" and therefore ripe for cherry picking against the more normal 2023/24 expenditure where more road "replacing" occurred instead?

          • Euphemistic on 04/09/2024 - 10:18
            +1

            @ESEMCE: What resurfacing actually means in a report is probably open to interpretation.

            I have seen resurfacing refer to spraying rejuvinator on, spray sealing over the top, new layer of asphalt on top and also remove and replace the top layer of asphalt.

            Resurfacing simply means making the surface new again.

    • Protractor on 04/09/2024 - 09:49

      @Porker>Blisteringly accurate username

  • AustriaBargain on 03/09/2024 - 18:08
    -3

    Maybe all these electric cars is eating into the fuel tax.

  • 2esc on 04/09/2024 - 12:00
    +1

    Rural road made for less traffic and traffic that weighted a lot less. A rising population with road funding hasnt been matched it.

    Councils now expected to do a lot of other things they no longer just do roads footpaths, oval, garbage collection councils are now getting political and social and environmental causes but where is that money coming from? The money that should have been spent on infrastructure.

    My cousin works for Wellington shire in Victoria the outdoor staff number has not changed in 25 years yet indoor staff number has tripled. Councils say roads are a priority but not reflected in staff numbers or materials budgets.

    He went from working private industry to local government and it was certainly a eye opener as to how they do things.

    • Protractor on 04/09/2024 - 17:34
      +1

      In my experience, there's a high speed conveyor belt directly from SAfrica to local govt admin jobs.And the numbers of staff in admin VS in the field matches yours.And there is way more outsourcing coming from that bloated admin. The works crews are just there to be seen out and about in fluoro, as rate payers money gets pissed against the wall via contractors gorging at the trough

  • DazMon on 05/09/2024 - 00:10

    I'm not sure what their criteria is when they fix them, I noticed a really bad one filled recently, but not other ones around.
    Yes, SE Melbourne (Centre rd).

    • iNeed2Pee on 05/09/2024 - 09:23
      +1

      Centre road has been one of the roads I have been talking about as well.

      Its just shocking to be honest.

  • pharkurnell on 05/09/2024 - 09:39

    When they do patch the road, why is the new patch 5-6inches higher than the actual road… so when people drive over it they end up all over the goat track

    • iNeed2Pee on 05/09/2024 - 10:32
      +1

      They do it because they know instead of coming out to fix it again, they would hope the extra gravel would last longer….

      hahaha im taking the piss but that would not surprise me.

      • pharkurnell on 05/09/2024 - 11:36
        +1

        I'd have put it down to doing a shit job first time, ensures you get another call out in 2-3 days to fix the same pothole.

        • iNeed2Pee on 05/09/2024 - 11:38

          100% and the fact they know they are being paid ludicrously does not help the cause for the rate/tax payers.

          • pharkurnell on 05/09/2024 - 11:39

            @iNeed2Pee: The eastlink freeway has been redone 2-3 times in couple of years when it didnt really need doing, but it is privately paid for.. Other roads havent been re-tarred ever

            • iNeed2Pee on 05/09/2024 - 13:02

              @pharkurnell: Agree, and that road makes me happy. Somewhat still bearable on the toll sided section, both in terms of traffic and quality.

              • pharkurnell on 06/09/2024 - 09:45

                @iNeed2Pee: The only downer are the metal 'expanders' where the freeway goes over the road below…. they just cant seem to get that level as the original team did

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