Years can pass and successive councils can still be discussing the same matters.

Not all the same, of course – a quick look at Orange, especially North Orange, compared to 10 years ago is evidence of that.

But just as Robertson Park users are still waiting for a toilet block, so are motorists waiting for a hot mix plant, according to some councillors. 

Its history traces back to 2012 when Boral shut down its plant in Phillip Street, next to the council quarry. 

Some might remember prior to that, Orange City Council ran its own asphalt production facility next to the old BMG quarry on Racecourse Road until the plant caught fire in the late 1980s and was shut down and decommissioned. 

Since 2012, the council has sourced road material from Bathurst and Dubbo, the disadvantage being the two and four-hour round trips to collect the material. 

The council’s recent success with hot mix is clear – roads with the treatment have so far been resilient to wear and tear and being able to do more can only be a good thing.

But requests from some councillors to look at other materials are also well-founded.

After all hot mix, as the name suggests, is hot – it’s mixed at 146 degrees Celsius and must be kept at the correct temperature while application and compaction is completed.

If the repair is occurring during winter, there is a risk the mix will cool too quickly before it sets and too much moisture can affect how well the material sticks. 

During recent consultation for the state government’s 40-year transport plan, a passing engineer told the Central Western Daily he wanted to see greater use of polymer-modified bitumen because of its durability. 

This type of material includes plastic and rubber from old car tyres and was engineered specifically for Canada’s cold climate. 

There is also cold patch polymer bitumen, which is suitable for cold, wet conditions. 

Certainly hot mix would be a great solution in summer, but winter requirements should also be considered. 

Either way, this issue has lasted five years and as councillors are acutely aware, residents want to see a long-term fix soon.