Residents dig deep for roads

Paul Dunlop
GARFIELD residents unhappy with the state of their roads will be asked to dig into their pockets to have them sealed.
Cardinia Shire Council has launched plans to introduce a special charge scheme for construction of sections of Jefferson and Archer roads.
The proposed works include kerb and channel, pavement and seal and underground drainage.
Council was told at its 18 September meeting the proposal stemmed from residents’ complaints over a number of years about road safety, poor drainage and problems with dust in summer and mud in winter.
The total cost of the scheme is $639,074 with 67 per cent – or $427,707 – of that cost to be borne by property owners.
The council said it would contribute the remaining 33 per cent, or $211,367.
Councillor Bill Pearson said the move to seal Jefferson Road fulfilled a dream he had had since he was first a councillor on the former Pakenham Shire almost 20 years ago.
“Now it’s a reality,” he said.
Cr Pearson paid tribute to the efforts of previous councils and shire officers who had initiated discussions on the proposal in 2002.
He said he believed the level of approval for the scheme among affected residents was about 85 per cent.
“It’s a done deal,” he said.
“This was one of my two nightmares.
“The other is Wattletree Road, and we’re working on that.”
Cr Pearson and councillor Doug Hamilton were appointed to consider submissions from residents in response to the scheme.
Cr Hamilton said the proposal had been a long time coming.
“It’s great to see it’s now being done,” he said.