Roadmaking slug

By Paul Dunlop
EMERALD residents will have to fork out up to $12,000 each to get their street sealed after controversial plans for a special charge scheme were approved by Cardinia councillors.
In a decision sure to prompt delight or dismay, depending on people’s view of the hotlydebated scheme, council voted to go ahead with plans to seal several streets in the township.
Ranges ward councillors Graeme Legge and Ed Chatwin led council’s support for the scheme at their 18 September meeting.
Cr Legge said it was time to “bite the bullet”.
“This action has sprung from residents, it is not an idea of council, people are concerned about dust and mud, drainage, safety and health,” Cr Legge said.
The Westlands Road Group Scheme will affect people living in Westlands Road from Memorial Avenue to Boundary Road West and in Memorial Avenue, Benson and Russell streets, Bayview, Woodlands and Boundary roads.
Residents remain divided over the benefits of the scheme with council receiving more than 100 submissions.
Most residents supported the $1.85 million project but a significant number — around 30 per cent — opposed it.
Westland Road resident Peter Nodin said he and many others remained strongly opposed to the scheme.
Mr Nodin questioned council’s claim that the scheme was supported by a majority of residents.
“I’d say we’re definitely going to VCAT,” he said.
Council began to investigate the scheme five years ago after receiving several complaints about road safety, problems with dust in summer and mud in winter and poor drainage.
The total contribution from the 160 properties, who will benefit from the 2.6 kilometres of roadworks, is more than $1 million with council contributing $654,173.
Cr Legge acknowledged that some people preferred no change. He said Westlands Road looked much as the same as it did 100 years ago.
“A majority of residents are in favour of the proposal. Yes, there have been objections, these have been earnestly and sensitively considered.
“These roads are not much more than 100 metres from the post office, in my opinion, it’s time to upgrade them,” he said.
Cr Chatwin said residents had had plenty of chances to have their say on the proposal.
“We’ve been told we are a pack of no hopers. In two years time, people can speak at the ballot box,” he said.
Councillors said the shire’s contribution was over and above its requirement.
The two Ranges Ward councillors headed a committee set up to consider public submissions.
Councillors said shire staff had put in an enormous amount of hard work preparing the scheme.
Residents in the area will receive a notice from council advising them of their individual contribution. The average payment is about $7000.
Under the scheme, residents have seven years to pay with people facing financial hardship able to apply for special consideration. They can also appeal against council’s decision.