Victoria’s Brimbank City Council has won an International Excellence Award for its new road maintenance system. The new strategy, established with the assistance of the Civil Construction Corporation, has been in operation for a year.
A significant part of the City’s roads have been upgraded during this time. The new method involves spraying a thin layer of bitumen to a previously prepared surface. This is followed by a covering of a layer of small stones which are worked into the surface by vehicular traffic over a period of one to two weeks. Remaining stones are then swept from the road.
The city estimates the process increases the average life expectancy of roads by six to ten years. For 1998-1999, Asset Management Quality International, which runs the annual competition, granted 11 international awards. Brimbank was presented with its award last November by Peter Rufford from the Australian Local Government Association.
Brimbank Mayor Brooke Gujinovic said the strategy significantly reduces the high costs of road maintenance and increases the life of local roads. “It is fantastic for Brimbank to be recognised as a best practice organisation for the treatment of roads,” she said “It shows great initiative by our staff and that they have a genuine dedication to perform at their highest level to meet community needs.”
For further information contact Brimbank’s Infrastructure Officer, Peter Fortune, telephone (03) 9249 4000
