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Desal Roads Reinstatement Temporarily Suspended

Ongoing heavy rain is affecting the maintenance and repair of local roads, including those used as haulage routes by the desalination project.

By Bass Coast - 4th June 2012 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Infrastructure Director, Felicity Sist, said Aquasure has advised that significant rainfall and the onset of winter means reinstatement works have been temporarily suspended until weather conditions improve.

"Aquasure has to maintain any roads that have been used by the desalination project," explained Ms Sist.

"There is also an agreement between the State and Aquasure, that says local roads used by the project must be reinstated to their original condition after they are no longer being used by the project. This includes ensuring the quality of reinstatement worksmanship stands the test of time.

"Some mending of roads has been done, however none of this work has been signed off by Council, so these roads are still under the care of the desalination project. Aquasure must continue to inspect and maintain these roads in the interim," confirmed Ms Sist.

"This suspension of reinstatement works doesn’t mean that people should stop reporting road hazards. What it does mean is that the wet weather will delay Aquasure’s work fixing these roads."

The biggest impact on local roads has been those roads near the haulage routes used by the Pipeline Joint Venture.

"Even with this hold up, we are still working with Aquasure and the Department of Sustainability and Environment about road responsibilites for reinstatement," said Ms Sist.

"We will be insisting that the roads are fully fixed before they are handed back to Council. Our communication with the Joint Venture is ongoing and we will continue working with them towards a positive outcome for Bass Coast."

To report a road hazard, contact Council on 1300 BCOAST (226 278), submit the issue online via Contact Us at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au, or visit one of Council’s Customer Service Centres.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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