Potholes, potholes, potholes. It's a subject that is sure to come up in any chat you have with someone across the Southern Highlands at the moment.
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The recent week's rain has once again caused roads to open up or in the case of Meryla Road, fall away.
![Meryla Road, Manchester Square (L) and Railway Avenue, Bundanoon have suffered from the rainfall. Photo: supplied [WSC]](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/131358433/2edb1afd-8d0d-47d4-ba6b-68b53d175c9b.jpg/r0_0_1920_1079_w576_h298_fmax.webp "Meryla Road, Manchester Square (L) and Railway Avenue, Bundanoon have suffered from the rainfall. Photo: supplied [WSC]")
This is of course on the back of torrential rain and minor flooding in the first half of 2022.
It's an issue that Wingecarribee Shire Council said they are aware of as they provided an update on Thursday (July 7), revealing crews were at work across the region.
"No one needs reminding of how difficult 2022 has already been," a Facebook statement read.
"Six months in and we've been battered by three major rainfall events that have led to our Shire again being declared a natural disaster area. The record-breaking rains continue to have a devastating effect on communities right along the east coast of the country.
"Thankfully, no lives have been lost across our Shire and we thank all first-responder agencies for their continued efforts. Our public assets and infrastructure have however taken another battering and we've yet to assess the full cost of damages from the latest downpour.
"Our roads in particular have borne the brunt of these unprecedented rain events. The damage is widespread and significant."
Council have also pleaded with residents to be patient as already stretched staff work, saying they share the frustration of locals.
"We're sorry but until the roads dry out properly our only solution is to temporarily fill the potholes," they continued.
"And if it rains heavily, we know many will break open again. Our road engineers are very frustrated too.
"Council resources and staff are also stretched. This week we trained up our Landscape and Parks Team to help our exhausted roads crews tend to potholes. Together they continue to respond to hundreds of calls of assistance, in often atrocious conditions, across our 1,282-kilometre road network.
"We understand everyone is fatigued and fed up and we share your frustration. Thanks to those who in these incredibly challenging months, continue to go above and beyond to help others in our community.
"On behalf of Council, we thank everyone for their patience and understanding."
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