CABONNE residents have questioned their council’s legal expenditure challenging the amalgamation with Orange and Blayney councils, saying not enough money is being spent fixing the area’s roads.
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Lidster resident Roger Eddy said the unsealed parts of McDonald Road were often in poor condition, with gravel brought in during grading work washing away during rain to leave divots in the surface.
“If you brake in the wrong spot, the car does have a tendency to slide in the mud, and that has happened a couple of times,” he said.
“There’s been times cars have slipped off the road and there’s been times it’s been very close, but no connection.
“We want an all-weather access that’s safe.”
Mr Eddy said council staff did respond when residents complained, and they would complete work this week, but more extensive work needed to be done in order to last longer.
“We have to provide our own water and sewerage systems and we’ve got to take our own garbage to the tip. You expect that if you live on a rural property, but you ask the council to be responsible for the roads,” he said.
“The amalgamation issue is political and people have their own views, but when the council can find $50,000 [for legal fees] you think, hang on, what about the ratepayers who always contribute and nothing much gets done?”
Cabonne mayor Ian Gosper said since he was elected to the council in 2008, the roads budget had risen from $12 million to $25 million in the 2016-17 financial year.
“I think we’ve realised our asset management plans need extra money and everyone’s number one priority is roads,” he said.
“[The court action] is what we believe the community is telling us to do.”
Cr Gosper encouraged residents concerned about their roads to contact the council and drive to the conditions.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
