DROMANA resident Adam Richmond, pictured, has started a petition calling for better maintenance of Mornington Peninsula roads.
Richmond said he “endured many years driving on poorly managed roads” but decided to do something about it when his vehicle’s steering was damaged after hitting a pothole.
“I’ve decided to get the public’s response to the situation by gaining as many signatures and as much feedback as possible,” Richmond said.
The petition will be handed to Nepean MP Sam Groth.
“I have previously been in contact with Sam’s office and received a reply via email, but nothing has really changed in terms of resurfacing efforts,” he said.
The petition can be signed at the Dromana news agency.
In September last year Mornington Peninsula Shire issued a news release stating that it “had been following all the news and stories on your frustrations about potholes recently, and we want to say: we hear you and we agree – potholes are a problem”.
The news release went on to say that there had been “30 per cent more potholes this winter, with more than 1000 attended to last month alone”.
The shire said extreme wet weather meant it could “only do temporary repairs” and its road contractor “has struggled with staffing issues”.
In October, the shire opened tenders for roads corridor maintenance “to help ensure residents and visitors … experience a safe and well-maintained road network”.
“The roads corridor maintenance tender is the first to be released under council’s newly reshaped maintenance services delivery model ensuring effective and efficient management of its $2.3 billion worth of community assets,” a news release stated.
The September news release said “all local councils” were facing the same issue over potholes. It then explained how the shire’s 1750 kilometres equalled the distance from Blairgowrie to Byron Bay.
The shire said potholes “and other roads issues” should be reported on its online Report It portal.
It had also “built a quick reference pothole webpage to answer all your queries and clearly explain our pothole repair processes”.
“So – what’s our main message? Simple – if you spot a pothole – Report It. Visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/reportit” or call 5950 1000.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 February 2023
