New Four-Year Road Management Plan Targets Safer, More Reliable Roads
The Surf Coast Shire has unveiled a comprehensive four-year road management plan designed to increase the inspection rate and shorten response times for high-use roads across the region. Adopted at the council’s September meeting, the plan sets the standard for how the shire’s extensive network of roads and footpaths will be monitored and maintained through to 2029.
The plan responds to safety concerns, community expectations, and technical standards while balancing the shire’s financial capacity. It follows an extensive review of the previous plan and a focused assessment of the unsealed road network, which last year led to a decision to ramp up the grading rate for unsealed surfaces.
What’s Changing Under the New Plan
Key changes include:
- Improved inspection procedures and faster response times for high-use roads, ensuring defects are addressed promptly.
- An increase in proactive inspections to identify issues before they affect residents and visitors.
- Inclusion of roads and footpaths that were previously excluded from the assessment framework, expanding oversight across the network.
The council notes that these enhancements are designed to maintain the safety and reliability of essential routes while still acknowledging budgetary pressures and the scale of the road network.
A Balancing Act: Safety, Community Expectation, and Finances
Councilor Joel Grist emphasised that road and footpath maintenance is a fundamental responsibility of the council. He stressed that the community rightly expects well-maintained roads and safer travel conditions, and the plan aims to meet these expectations without compromising financial sustainability.
“The community rightfully has high expectations when it comes to road maintenance, which we aim to meet,” Cr Grist said. “Equally, we have to take into account that there are constraints on our finances and resourcing, and that we have a large road network to cover. The plan achieves a strong balance between those factors and places higher emphasis on more regular inspection and faster repair of defects on our most frequently used roads.”
With more than 600km of sealed roads and 470km of unsealed roads, the Surf Coast Shire manages a substantial network. About 30 per cent of roads also include footpaths, kerbs, and channels, underscoring the scale and complexity of the maintenance task. The updated plan acknowledges these realities while outlining a clear path to improved service levels over the next four years.
How the Plan Will Be Implemented
The road management plan will guide day-to-day operations, including inspection cycles, defect response times, and maintenance prioritisation. It will align capital works programs with ongoing maintenance to reduce long-term costs and improve travel safety for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.
Regular reporting and monitoring will track progress against service level targets, with adjustments as needed to respond to changes in usage patterns, weather events, or emerging safety concerns. The plan also reflects a broader push by Victorian councils to modernise road management frameworks in line with contemporary standards and community expectations.
Why It Matters to the Community
Roads and footpaths are essential infrastructure that support daily life, tourism, and economic activity along the Surf Coast. By elevating inspection frequency and speeding up repairs on high-use corridors, the shire aims to minimise disruption, improve safety, and preserve the region’s road network for future generations.
Residents can expect ongoing communication from the shire about planned inspections, maintenance works, and any adjustments to service levels as the four-year plan unfolds. The council encourages community feedback as part of its commitment to transparent governance and responsive service delivery.
