Bass Coast Shire Council voted to approve a Draft Dust Suppression Seal Removal Policy for community consultation at its meeting on Wednesday, 19 March.
Between 2005 and 2007, dust suppressant seals were trialed on unsealed roads across Bass Coast as a low-cost, temporary solution to reduce dust on unmade roads and improve amenity. Based on an independent condition audit, all the remaining seals are at the end of their life and need to be removed as Council can no longer maintain the roads to an acceptable standard.
The draft Policy introduces a mechanism to allow residents to contribute a fixed price amount to have their road sealed permanently when the dust suppressant is removed.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead explained that this Policy will provide a safe and maintainable road surface either through a return to gravel or through an upgrade option should property owners choose to take it up.
"While these dust suppression seals initially provided short-term benefits, they have since deteriorated significantly and these roads no longer meet acceptable standards or community expectations," Cr Halstead said.
"This Policy gives us a way forward for these streets now that the seals have come to the end of their life and we're committed to working with property owners along these streets to come to a solution."
There are 30 roads across Bass Coast that still have these suppression seals in place. The draft Policy sets out a 3-year schedule for removal and gives property owners on these roads the option of a capped price contribution towards a seal only improvement once the time comes for their suppression seal to be removed.
This policy only applies to roads with an existing dust suppression seal in place. The Urban Roads and Drainage Upgrade Policy is in place as Council's approach to upgrading all other areas with unmade roads and inadequate stormwater drainage.
All property owners on affected streets will be contacted directly, and the broader community are also invited to have their say.
Visit Engage Bass Coast - Seal Removal Policy
