First soil stabilisation trial begins on rural road in Livingstone

In an effort to reduce the effects of dust and prevention of gravel wash outs on the Shire’s rural road network, Council will hold its first trial using the advanced technology of liquid soil stabilisers in Livingstone this week.

Trucks and machinery have been working to prepare Tooker’s Road in Cawarral as the first location of the trial, which aims to effectively control and manage a variety of soil conditions, reducing the impact of dust on nearby homes.

Mayor Andy Ireland said if the trial proves successful; it will be gradually rolled out across the rural road network in Livingstone.

“Dust has always been an issue for many rural residents living on gravel roads, and this is a fantastic step forward to alleviating that, with the aim to reduce the impact of dust long-term,” Mayor Ireland said. 

“The soil stabilisers are ideal for most roads; they are environmentally safe while increasing soil density, and making roads less susceptible to corrugation.”

Portfolio holder of Transport (Roads, Drainage, Pathways) Councillor Glenda Mather said as a result of the new methodology for addressing road maintenance, the new, tough surface will not only provide a much improved surface for vehicles, but will address the dust from rural roads in residential communities as well.

“Tooker's Road has been chosen for the initial trial for this new methodology because of the heavy demand on this gravel road, and the severe dust impacts the heavy traffic creates to this community,” Cr Mather said. 

“Council is pleased to deliver projects such as this which aim to improve liveability in our Shire, aligning closely with the objectives outlined in the Livingstone Community Plan: Towards 2050."