New four-year plan sets a higher standard for road inspections
The Surf Coast Shire has unveiled a comprehensive four-year road management plan that will guide inspections, maintenance, and response priorities across its extensive network of roads and footpaths through 2029. Adopted at the council’s September meeting, the plan is designed to deliver improved safety, transparency, and efficiency while balancing the community’s expectations with the shire’s financial capacity.
The plan comes after a rigorous review of the previous framework and a targeted assessment of the unsealed road network. It also aligns with a broader move across Victorian councils to refresh road management strategies within a year of elections, ensuring that local governments respond to evolving needs and funding realities.
Key changes: more frequent inspections and faster repairs
Central to the new plan is an increase in proactive and high-frequency inspections on high-use roads. By prioritising routes with higher traffic, schools, shopping strips, and critical connectivity, the shire aims to detect defects earlier and mobilise repairs sooner. This proactive approach is expected to reduce the duration of road defects and improve user experience for residents and visitors alike.
Another notable change is the inclusion of roads and features that were previously excluded from the inspection schedule. Expanding the scope ensures a more consistent level of service across the entire network, reducing blind spots where deterioration could go unchecked. The plan also formalises faster response times, so urgent issues are addressed more promptly to minimise disruption and risk.
How the plan balances safety, community expectations, and finances
Shire councillors emphasised that the plan carefully weighs safety with the realities of budgeting in a region with a large road network. Councillor Joel Grist highlighted that road and footpath maintenance is a fundamental responsibility for the council and that public expectations are high when it comes to maintenance standards. He noted the challenge of stretching limited resources over 600km of sealed roads and 470km of unsealed roads while keeping up with demand.
The new roadmap aims to maintain this balance by setting clear service levels for different road categories. By defining the expected standard of inspection frequency and repair timelines for each category, the plan provides a transparent framework for decision-making and reporting. This clarity helps residents understand when a defect will be scheduled for attention and how priorities are determined during budget cycles.
Scope and impact on the Surf Coast community
The Surf Coast Shire’s network includes a diverse mix of sealed and unsealed roads, with roughly one-third of the network also featuring footpaths, kerbs, and channels. Maintaining this infrastructure is crucial for local mobility, emergency access, tourism, and day-to-day life for residents. The four-year plan seeks to shorten reaction times to safety issues, reduce wear and tear on critical corridors, and support a more reliable transport experience across the region.
With a focus on safety and efficiency, the plan also aligns with long-term strategies for asset management and financial sustainability. By setting measurable performance standards, the shire can monitor progress, adjust to changing conditions, and report back to the community on outcomes and improvements in road quality and accessibility.
Looking ahead
As the four-year horizon unfolds, the Surf Coast Shire will monitor road conditions through regular inspections and community feedback, adapting the plan as needed to maintain service levels. The goal is straightforward: safer, smoother journeys for residents and visitors while keeping expenditure within responsible limits.
