Potholes
Managing potholes together
We maintain 1,730km of roads—roughly the same distance as Blairgowrie to Byron Bay! While we conduct regular inspections, we also rely on the community to report potholes so they can be repaired faster.
Report a pothole on a Shire road
It’s important to note that during wet weather, we often can only carry out temporary repairs to keep roads safe, until dryer conditions allow for more permanent fixes.
Potholes are a challenge for all councils. Our approach to managing and repairing potholes on local Shire roads focuses on keeping our roads safe and well-maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions about potholes
What happens once a pothole is reported?
We rely on community reporting alongside our proactive inspection program to stay on top of potholes. Once a report is received:
1. It is sent to our roads contractor and prioritised based on the road class and issue size.
2.Customers receive a service request number to track progress and follow-up on it if required.
3. If requested, we contact customers with updates on the repair timeline.
What is the Shire's response rate to pothole reports?
We inspect the reported location and contact customers within 10 days of a request. Repairs are completed in 1 to 15 days, depending on the road class and the works required.
What causes a pothole to form?
Potholes develop when water seeps into a small hole or crack in the road surface. As vehicles drive over these weakened spots, the road base deteriorates, eventually forming a pothole. Roads in good condition can still develop potholes if water gets in and erodes the base layers.
Why do potholes keep forming in the same spot?
Traffic on wet roads increases the amount of water seeping into minor cracks, weakening the foundation and leading to potholes. Reconstruction work requires dry weather to properly seal all cracks and prevent further damage. Many of the repairs we carry out during winter are temporary solutions to keep our roads safe until conditions allow for a more permanent fix.