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Water Restrictions Impact Road Works

Water restrictions across the Shire are having a big impact on Bass Coast Shire Council’s ability to maintain roads, with only limited works able to go ahead.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 6th December 2006 - Back to News

"We have unfortunately had to suspend works for many areas, particularly in the Westernport Water region," advised Council’s Director of Infrastructure, Guy Wilson-Browne.

"Only works where we have permission to use water from the relevant water authority will be possible."

Road grading and resealing

"50,000 litres of water, or three truckloads, can be needed to grade just one unmade road," advised Mr Wilson-Browne.

"Road grading requires the surface to be saturated to soften the road for grading and then compact it again afterwards.

"Until recycled or alternative water sources become available, all grading works will be suspended across the Shire," he said.

"While this means that we may have some bumpy roads for awhile, our primary objective is to ensure that we continue to help conserve our valuable drinking water.

"Resealing of bitumen roads will continue as normal, as this process doesn’t use water," Mr Wilson-Browne continued.

Dust suppression

Council had allocated $300,000 for a dust suppression program this financial year, targeting over 90 roads. Two types of suppressants were to be used:

  • Dust Mag, which draws moisture in from the air and controls dust by keeping the road damp. This lasts for a few months over the dry and busy summer period.
  • Primer Seal, which is a bitumen seal that lasts two to three years. This product is three times more expensive than Dust Mag.

"Both dust suppressants save water in the long-term, as they reduce the need to grade roads," informed Mr Wilson-Browne.

"However, to apply Dust Mag to begin with requires the road to be saturated with water, not unlike the grading process.

"This means that until recycled or alternative water sources become available, only the roads earmarked for Primer Seals will be given a dust suppression treatment.

"Primer Seals have already gone down in Wonthaggi, Cape Paterson, Inverloch, Dalyston and Rhyll," continued Mr Wilson-Browne.

"Other roads in Corinella, Pioneer Bay and Wonthaggi will also be done before Christmas."

Mr Wilson-Browne confirmed that South Gippsland Water had given permission to cart water to Phillip Island, Corinella, Pioneer Bay and Dalyston for the work.

"While Primer Seals don’t need the road to be saturated, a fine spray is applied, which uses about 17,000 litres, or one tank, of water per street," he said.

Dust Mag, which uses two to three tanks of water per street, was planned for use in Cape Paterson, Corinella, Dalyston, Kilcunda, Pioneer Bay, South Dudley and on Phillip Island. These works are suspended until further notice.

For more information contact Council’s Infrastructure team on 5671 2555 or 5951 3311.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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