Apart from making everyday life more challenging, the massive amount of rain seen in many parts of the country has also had created another longer lasting blight on grey nomad journeys … potholes!
In New South Wales alone, for example, authorities say they have filled more than 50,000 potholes on the state’s highways since March, and they still have thousands to go.
The ABC reports that Lismore City Council, badly hit by flooding in March, says an estimated 90% of its road network has been damaged with a repair bill of some $400m.
Lismore tyre repairer Matthew Millard told the ABC he is seeing as many as 70 punctures a day. The record in his store is one customer who came in three times in one week.
Potholes are an ongoing blight on many Big Laps. PIC: Kam Pratt / Pexels
“Another lady has had to replace all four tyres within six months,” he said.
On the New South Wales south coast, Eurobodalla Shire Council is struggling to keep up with the road maintenance issues. The ABC reports that road repair teams in the shire have filled more than 3,000 potholes on local roads since March and patched 3,370 square metres of road.
However, there is still a long, long way to go and some frustrated motorists are taking matters into their own hands and painting yellow lines around the potholes to warn other drivers.
However, Mayor Mathew Hatcher said that, while he understood the frustration of motorists, road crews were gaining ground on the problem.
“Council would prefer if people did not enter the roadway to spray paint on it – it’s in everyone’s best interests to stay off,” he told the ABC. “We’ve done thousands of pothole repairs across the shire already, but we know there is 10 times that which needs to be done, and we’re getting to it as quickly as we can.”
IF COUNCILS STOPPED PLAYING WITH COUNCIL RATES AND TAKING LONG HOLIDAYS AND EMPLOYING MORE WORKERS, THEY COULD THEN FILL ALL THE HOLES AND GIVE THEMSELVES A PAT ON THE BACK, OR ! IF THEY BUILT THE ROADS BETTER IN THE FIRST PLACE THEY WOULDN’T BE IN THIS POSITION, WOULD THEY ?.
I had replace four springs on my caravan last year.
Watch some motorists and see their level of incompetence when they fail to sow down and avoid safely the many very deep holes that are washed out temporary repairs. The blame rests entirely with the driver. In my large local council area there are approx. 45,000 known potholes in need of major repair which is estimated to take two years and $80,000,000.
Federal State and Local Govts are broke, broke wasting money ensuring they enjoy a good lifestyle. The roads will continue to deteriorate until there is change. The sign “Rough Road Ahead” is the understatement.
Two weeks ago we hit a very large pothole on our way to caravan park in Noosa eco. It took out 2 wheels, tyres and 1 set of brakes… RACQ were brilliant, but it still cost us 4 new tyres and a set of brakes. The roads in Sunshine Coast hinterland are fought with many potholes… expensive lesson for us, but the council is not liable.
Yes they are. Write to your minister with the details.
Actually since 9/11 and the flood of insurance underwriters jacking up premiums, many States have introduced changes to laws that used to include Councils in negligence actions. Local Councils may NOT be legally accountable nowadays.
The state of the roads in Victoria, NSW and Queensland are very poor generally.
The recent flooding and bad weather has exacerbated the situation, but let’s face it, these 3 states have not been keeping up with their road maintenance for years.
It is a joke between my wife and self that as we cross the border out of SA into either NSW or Victoria, the road goes into instant rough and it does seem that way.
Certainly SA and my home state of WA have some roads that could do with some work, but as a general rule, they are pretty good.
State governments, instead of building billion dollar footy stadiums or some other item that is just a want, need to start concentrating on their states needs, and there are a lot of those.
The road (4.5klms) into B4 Saltwater at Yamba is really, really bad presumably from recent flooding. Its also the only road back into town. I’m sure the local council is doing its best but as its not a main road its probably low priority. Slow and easy is required.
Come to Victoria who used to boast the best roads in Australia. They are an absolute disgrace now with virtually ALL funding going to Tunnels etc. Sick of seeing the signs “Rough or Uneven Surface”! Just FIX it Mr Andrews
So true! I hit one on the Hume Hwy last week and the Dashcam recorded it as a crash.
This is because we have local councils who have, unfortunately, forgotten where their responsibilities lay.
I’ve just this past week driven up the Newell Highway from Victoria to Queensland and in more pouring rain and flooding, this notoriously bumpy road was even more treacherous due to the plethora of potholes, especially dangerous when they are full of water and of unidentifiable depth.
It’s worse when you’re towing as you can’t swerve suddenly to avoid them but there were many occasions when there was no oncoming traffic that I had to do a pre-emptive wide berth.
I definitely won’t be heading back down that way although I wonder if the coast road is any better or maybe worse?
Agreed. My wife and I planned on driving from Moree to Nyngan on Friday 12th. Only got as far as Warren. Stress was too much. Had to stop for the night.
All the potholes around our place are linked with a small strip of tar. The way the council moans about them, one would think that drivers are digging them their selves.
I’ve just come back from south WA and the dirt roads in WA are better than the bitumen roads in Victoria
Yes Bass hwy Victoria don’t drive at night time as highly dangerous. Have placed a report with Vic Roads today.