Roads put drivers at risk, warn residents

Residents and business owners have lamented the state of rural roads across the Busselton local government area, which they say are putting drivers at risk.

The Times spoke to residents of outlying suburbs, including Jindong and Yoongarillup, who have repeatedly called for upgrades to a range of roads.

Oakland Park Thoroughbred Stud owner Neville Duncan’s business is located on North Jindong Road, which he said had been in need of upgrades for years.

Mr Duncan said the state of the single-lane stretch of road was a safety hazard and was also in need of repair.

“There is a blind corner about 2km away from our property and the number of near misses down there has been unbelievable; that is a real concern,” he said.

The single-lane road also meant cars had to slow down or pull over if another was approaching, which was made even more difficult when transporting horses.

“Some cars don’t pull off the road and when you are towing a horse float, this is very difficult,” he said.

Mr Duncan said he had made several written and verbal complaints to the City but had not received any response, or had his concerns dismissed.

“The City hasn’t shown any propensity to do anything about the minimum maintenance of these roads,” he said.

Yoongarillup resident Midge Avery is facing similar problems, lamenting the state of roads near her home, which borders Wonnerup South Road.

Ms Avery has lived in the area for more than 30 years and said the area had increasing traffic coming through, including school buses, farm machinery and emergency services.

“I am concerned about rural roads around the whole area; some roads are filled with potholes and some have deteriorated to such an extent that parts of it are washing away,” she said.

“Residents have been paying rates for decades and there has been no improvement.”

However, City of Busselton chief executive Mike Archer said in 2015 the council began a targeted program of rural road renewal aimed at upgrading about 37.5km of the most frequently used narrow sealed roads across the City.

Mr Archer said Puzey Road, Tom Cullity Road and Carter Road had already been reconstructed and widened, with work under way on reconstructing and widening about 4.5km of Yelverton Road.

Roads earmarked for widening and reconstructing over the next five to six years include Yoongarrilup Road, Don Road, Hairpin Road, North Jindong Road, Wonnerup South Road and Chapman Hill Road.

“Rural roads are regularly inspected and repair work undertaken as required,” he said. “Residents should report any road maintenance issues directly to the City”.