INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL AND MAINTENANCE OUTCOMES

Special Rate Variation 2016/2022 6.9%

Renewal $7.95M

Heavy Patch

Heavy patching targets repairs to localized pavement failures by either excavating existing defects and replacing with suitable materials or modifying existing failed areas by stabilisation with an additive. While not as comprehensive a treatment as reconstruction or rehabilitation, this treatment provides a similar pavement improvement and life expectancy for the treated area when the problem is relatively localised. This treatment is very cost effective when combined with a resurfacing treatment. Resurfacing can only occur once the problem areas have been heavy patched and where the remainder of the road pavement is in acceptable condition.

Council uses a small pavement pulveriser attachment to mill out the failed section of pavement. Depending on the size of the failed portion we do also use backhoes or excavators for this process.

BEFORE AFTER

New road base is placed and compacted in layers until its finished surface is level with the existing road and then finished off with a seal.

Resurfacing - Reseal

Resurfacing aims to return a worn road surface to its original as-new condition. Resealing or Resurfacing is the process of applying bitumen and aggregate to the surface of a road in order to provide a smoother surface and to water proof the underlying gravel pavement. It also ensures a dust free, skid resistance surface which permits safe travel and improves riding qualities and comfort for drivers. Resurfacing can only be undertaken if the underlying pavement is in a sound condition. Minor potholes and edge breaks must first be repaired and any localized pavement failures will require heavy patching prior to resurfacing.

Council prepares the road surface by fixing any minor deficiencies.

Resealing is undertaken by a contractor with specialised equipment.

Gravel Resheet

In order to maintain the life of a gravel road surface, gravel resheeting is the application of a 100 – 200mm layer of new gravel over the existing gravel road surface. Gravel Resheeting targets repairs to pavement failures by either excavating existing defects and replacing with suitable materials or modifying existing failed areas by stabilizing with an additive.

Council spreads and levels the gravel with a grader. Getting the right cross fall (camber) is critical – too steep and rain will cause scour, too shallow and the gravel will become soft and deteriorate rapidly

Compaction by heavy roller is a critical part of the process to ensure the gravel binds together and to provide as smooth a ride as possible.

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

Maintenance $2.01M

Linemarking Linemarking is an essential element of a modern road system and also the most cost effective road safety measure. Reports have proven that linemarking can reduce car accidents by up to 60%, and with correct levels of contrast and brightness, the reflective lines can prevent crashes at night on bends on rural roads. Mr Paul Gibson, Chairman of the NSW State Government’s StaySafe committee believes the simple white reflective lines dividing a road are just as important as speed cameras and random breath tests and are the most fundamental counter-measure ever introduced into road safety.

Council has a small linemarking machine that we use for minor jobs including car parking bays.

For centre linemarking and edge marking Council tenders the work to an appropriate company of the RMS.

Roadside Vegetation Management The management of vegetation facilitates the line-of-sight or the visibility of changes in road direction, oncoming traffic or obstacles for all drivers. This is especially important around tight corners or on narrow roads with overhanging vegetation. Mountainous or forested areas are particularly susceptible, however long grass in open farm land can also be an issue.

We have our own roadside slashing and bushwhacking equipment to undertake this type of work. We also engage a sub-contractor with similar equipment to assist.

Drainage Management Good drainage is essential to the safe and efficient use of the road system. Efficient removal and disposal of water contributes to a number of important objectives of road operations such as the:

Enhancement of road safety by preventing a loss of friction between tyres and the road, aquaplaning and impaired driver visibility through spray from the road

Prevention of flooding of the road and adjacent areas

Protection of life and property through the appropriate management of water under the road and disposal of the water to an approved point of discharge

Protection of road assets by preventing water from substantially weakening the bearing capacity of the road pavement and underlying formation, or from causing other damage such as erosion and failure of embankments

Mitigation of environmental impacts both in the immediate vicinity of the road and over a wider area. (Austroads Guide to Road Design – Part 5)

Council has the expertise to undertake drainage maintenance works in rural and urban locations and will also utilise the expertise of specialist sub-contractors when required.

Pothole Patching Sealed Roads Many defects result from the presence of excess moisture in the pavement or subgrade, therefore, one of the most important functions of surface maintenance is to prevent water reaching or remaining in the pavement.

Potholes are usually due to a crack in the bitumen surface of a road, which allows moisture to enter the pavement. The pavement may soften slightly or water may penetrate horizontally under the bitumen surface. In either case, a small area of the cracked wearing surface is likely to lift out under the action of traffic, starting a pothole. In many instances such potholes usually appear after rain. NRMA President Wendy Machin said some local councils would take years to clear their backlog of roadworks at current funding levels. “Some councils have no choice but to let bad roads get worse – the money is simply not there for them to fix roads within their boundaries,” Ms Machin said. “It’s not the local councils who are to blame as the money they’re requesting isn’t for glitz and glamour – it’s for the basics including fixing pot holes, repainting faded lines and gutters. “The problem in regional NSW is even worse than Sydney with almost $3 billion needed. Heavy rain can deteriorate local roads and this is why many regional councils are simply allowing previously sealed roads to turn to dirt”.

Council has 2 bitumen patching trucks that repair potholes with either asphaltic concrete (hotmix) or a coldmix treatment. Both units operate concurrently on most days targeting our worst affected roads or through our customer request system.

Gravel Patching Gravel patching is the function of resurfacing a gravel road due to the loss of appropriate pavement materials resulting from degradation, climatic conditions (wind and rain), scour and traffic abrasion. “The rate of gravel loss is not consistent over the life of the pavement. The rates of gravel loss are approximately constant for the first two to three years only following resurfacing and vary with vehicle speed, residual pavement thickness and climatic conditions. As the wearing course is reduced in thickness other developments such as the formation of ruts will affect the lost of pavement materials”. (Jones 1984a – Australian Road and Research Board)

Council has 3 maintenance grading crews that generally operate concurrently. Our crews have both the capacity and expertise to patch gravel our unsealed network when required or as advised through our customer request system.

Safety Barriers

Safety barriers, guardrail or guard fencing is of particular value in defining the roadway, deflecting traffic from hazardous locations, and in reducing the severity of accidents where vehicles may otherwise leave the road formation. Guardrail is commonly used, although the older types of post and cable, post and chain wire, and wooden post and rail can still be found throughout rural regional areas. Adopting a safe system approach to road safety recognises that humans as road users are fallible and will continue to make mistakes and that the community should not penalise people with death or serious injury when they do make mistakes. In a safe system, roads (and vehicles) should be designed to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes when they inevitably occur. The safe system approach requires, in part (Australian Transport Council 2006): Designing, constructing and maintaining a road system (roads, vehicles and operating requirements) so that forces on the human body generated in crashes are generally less than those resulting in fatal or debilitating injury. Improving roads and roadsides to reduce the risk of crashes and minimise harm: measures for higher speed roads including dividing traffic, designing ‘forgiving’ roadsides, and providing clear driver guidance. In areas with large numbers of vulnerable road users or substantial collision risk, speed management supplemented by road and roadside treatments is a key strategy for limiting crashes. Managing speeds, taking into account the risks on different parts of the road system.

We don’t have guardrail installation equipment and will tender the work to an appropriately qualified company. However, we are able to undertake minor maintenance repairs where necessary.

Shoulder Grading The road shoulder is the portion of the road adjoining and flush with the pavement. The width of shoulder is that available to traffic inside guide posts or safety barriers. A shoulder should have a smooth running surface, a minimum of loose material, an adequate slope for drainage, sufficient strength to support wheel loads and a surface flush with the pavement edge.

Shoulders are provided to:

provide lateral support to the pavement

carry surface water clear of the pavement to table or batter drains

prevent or minimise the ingress of moisture to the pavement

provide extra width for traffic to stop or stand, or for use in emergencies

provide overtaking and passing movements, particularly on single lane pavements

create a sense of open space and thus increase the effective use of traffic lanes.

The function of shoulder grading and maintenance will improve traffic safety by providing a clear and uniform zone to the immediate edge of the traffic lane. This also ensures the life of the road and safety to road users by allowing water to drain quickly away and not remain ponded on the road.

We have internal expertise to undertake shoulder grading and maintenance works on our road network.