Independent audit brings positive news for Livingstone’s rural roads

Following an independent audit of Council’s rural road network, the report findings have revealed Livingstone’s rural road maintenance and management is generally of a high standard.

Council engaged Shepherd Services earlier this year to conduct an audit of unsealed road operational and management practices following a Council resolution in March 2022.

Shepherd Services has worked with over 100 organisations across Australia assisting with both operational and management aspects of unsealed road stewardship. 

The auditors attended various sites to observe maintenance operations and conducted desktop reviews of Council policies, procedures, and maintenance management practices.

Mayor Andy Ireland said it was important to undertake the review, to identify any recommended improvements across the management of the Shire’s rural road network.

“The audit identified a wide range of operational and strategic improvements that could be accommodated in Council’s existing budget framework, together with several improvements that will require large capital investment over the medium to long term, subject to Council reviewing its adopted levels of service,” Mayor Ireland said.

“In summary, Council’s grading standard is good, the equipment used is appropriate, gravel selection and specifications are appropriate, systems and processes are well defined and advanced, and capital and operational budget benchmarking compares favourably with other regional councils.

“Council understands the important role these roads play for thousands of residents travelling each day, and this report details the observations and opportunities for optimisation of Council’s current processes.”

Some areas for consideration included increasing gravel depth from 100mm to 150mm where drainage is an issue, increase gravel coverage on lower order roads, accelerating sealing of high order roads, increasing community liaison on maintenance programming and removal of waste material from roadsides to enhance stormwater drainage. 

Portfolio holder of Transport (Roads, Drainage, Pathways), Councillor Glenda Mather, said the report found that Council has one of the more advanced planning systems for determining how roads are planned for re-sheeting, and after infield reviews of each grading crew, it was observed that Council’s current grading standard is on par with the industry standard.

“Some of the recommendations included undertaking a review of the gravel coverage and depth alternatives, including cost estimates, to understand the budget impacts of increasing gravel coverage on lower order roads,” Cr Mather said.

“A community satisfaction survey will be released over the next financial year to gain further feedback from residents across the entire rural community regarding unsealed roads.

“There is much to be done to improve the Shire’s rural road network, but Council’s investment to have this audit undertaken was a big step, which I’m sure will provide us a clearer way forward.”