Residents Joel Spagnolo and Steve Golfin made submissions to seal the short gravel road, off the Burrendong Way, as part of the 2017-18 budget.

They had been trying to have the road sealed since 2013 and it was originally listed for the current financial year.

The submission said the road was steep with poor drainage, which had led to residents’ efforts to level their driveways being washed out in heavy rain. 

It also said dust from the road had settled in one of the house’s water tanks, meaning it needed to be cleaned.

“When the road deteriorates, a lot of loose gravel [and] dirt makes the road unsafe,” the submission said.

“Steve’s elderly mother drove down once and slid at the base near the Burrendong Way T-intersection and thought she was going to slide into main traffic.”

The residents said they were prepared to inject their own funds to kickstart the project and the sealing of neighbouring Beer Road had set a precedent.

“We have also been extremely patient and we hope to have this request included,” the submission said.

Wicks Road serves seven households.

The report to councillors said the council’s asset management strategy would normally recommend against creating more sealed roads because they increased the burden of maintenance.

“Wicks Road, however, has extra considerations that may warrant bringing this project on line including the steep, narrow and tree-lined nature of the road in sections that can be argued to increase maintenance grading requirements and be less safe than other roads,” the report said. 

It estimated the cost of road drainage, vegetation management, gravel pavement and sealing at $100,000.

Deputy mayor Jason Hamling had inspected the road and applauded the addition at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“It’s a different submission where residents are prepared to put their own money in and I would like to see it done,” he said.

In 2017-18, $914,757 will be spent on the road reseal and gravel program.

Almost $2.4 million will be spent on projects throughout the rest of the road network, in addition to $3.2 million on roads in industrial sites and almost $3.1 million on Forest Road.