Roads — Sealed and Unsealed

Council regularly undertakes a detailed assessment of our road network to observe and condition score both the seal (surface bitumen) and pavement (the underlying crushed rock base of the road).

The condition assessment determines the remaining life of both the seal and pavement of our roads by quantifying a number of visible features such as cracking, undulations, potholes, stripping of aggregate from surface, deterioration of bitumen binder and rutting.

The condition assessment is then utilised to develop treatments for roads and plan advanced repairs. Such techniques include seal renewal consisting of either a spray seal resurface, a hot mix asphalt surface or alternatively a pavement renewal consisting of either a Granular pavement reconstruction or a Deep Lift Full Asphalt reconstruction. When a road can no longer be repaired by maintenance works, interventions such as seal renewals and pavement renewals are required.

Council is responsible for maintaining a variety of assets over a large geographic area. The majority of maintenance activities arise from customer requests and regular condition inspections. Where possible, maintenance activities will be programmed to ensure efficient and effective use of resources. To achieve this, Council has adopted a zone maintenance (see links below) approach, allowing for focussed effort in discreet areas. Other maintenance activities are classed as reactive, where high risk or unexpected failures must be immediately attended to.

The maintenance of sealed roads focuses on asphalt work which includes pothole and edge break repairs, as well as heavy patches. Identified defects will be prioritised following a risk assessment. Additional sealed road maintenance activities include kerb and footpath repairs, storm water pit and pipe repairs and cleaning, swale drain maintenance, crack seal and line marking, signage and guidepost reinstatement.

Council prioritises its unsealed roads maintenance based on a road's condition and hierarchy. This involves restoring the driving surface to a desired smoothness and shape by removing irregularities such as corrugations, potholes and/or redistributing road material. Unsealed roads will be re-sheeted with new material when they reach the end of their useful life.

Associated maintenance works such as drainage and guidepost reinstatement might occur in the vicinity of grading works.

Changing conditions of unsealed roads

Unsealed roads are constantly changing. Over time, they naturally develop corrugations, potholes, rough patches, slippery surfaces, and can become muddy or dusty depending on the weather. These conditions are normal and unavoidable, and they can change quickly. Drivers must stay alert, reduce their speed, and be prepared for unexpected hazards.

Grading can also affect road conditions. While grading is intended to smooth the road, it can temporarily make the surface more slippery—especially right after the work is done. In dry weather, grading spreads loose gravel that can reduce traction. In wet conditions, moisture may seep into the freshly graded surface until it forms a solid crust.

What you can do to help

• Reduce your speed. While many rural roads have a default speed limit of 100 km/h, this doesn’t mean it’s always safe to drive that fast—especially on unsealed surfaces. Driving too quickly increases dust, worsens potholes and corrugations, and leads to a much rougher and less comfortable ride. Driving comfort is often assessed using the International Roughness Index (IRI), which shows that higher speeds result in a bumpier experience, depending on road conditions.
• Avoid using heavy vehicles during or after rain. Wet unsealed roads are especially vulnerable to damage. If possible, keep heavy trucks off these roads when they're saturated—particularly after grading—as they can cause significant surface damage.
• Recognise that unsealed roads change. Expect rough, muddy, or dusty conditions at different times. These are natural characteristics of unsealed roads and can vary daily, even hourly.
• Drive according to conditions. As a driver, you're responsible for your own safety and for others on the road. Adjust your speed and driving style based on how rough, slippery, or unstable the surface is.
• Expect the unexpected. Unsealed roads can change rapidly. Never assume they’ll be the same as your last trip, even if you're driving the same route on the same day.1. Slow down. Although the default speed limit on many rural roads is 100km, this does not mean the road conditions suit driving at this speed.

Not all roads in the region are managed and maintained by Council; many of our main roads are maintained by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.