Potholes and tyre damage are on the rise in the Southern Highlands.
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According to the NRMA, there have been 630 callouts for NRMA Roadside assist for wheel and tyre damage in the Wingecarribee Shire Council, compared to 343 callouts in neighbouring Wollondilly Shire since July 1.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury urged motorists across NSW to report potholes to their local council as continued rain would only cause further damage to the road network.
"Local councils and the NSW Government have a tough job maintaining the road network with the heavy rains we have experienced throughout 2022, and so we urge the community to drive safely and be patient," he said.
"We should expect to see continued roadworks across the state as these damaged roads are fixed, and it is therefore important that drivers should be patient behind the wheel as we would expect delays while the work is being done."
However, funding to fix some of the worst roads in the Southern Highlands has been secured.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to receive more than $418,700 in funding from the NSW Government's $50 million Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round.
Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman the money would go straight into the council's bank account to help cover the extra costs and workload pressures following this year's unprecedented rain and storms.
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"These grants are a rapid injection of cash to help councils get on with the job of repairing potholes to get us through the wet summer ahead and to make roads safe," she said.
Wingecarribee Shire Council has also cautioned motorists to drive to conditions as the full restoration of the road and infrastructure network would take some time to resolve.
Council's Director of Service and Project Delivery Karin Targa said the repair bill would be significant.
"We won't know the full extent of the rain and flood damage until a thorough assessment of all of our roads, assets and infrastructure is undertaken," she said.
"It can only be undertaken once the rain finally eases.
"The council crews continue to assess and inspect over 8,500 stormwater structures, 1,200 kilometres of roads, more than 50 bridges and dozens of car parks across the length and breadth of the shire."
"As they progress, they are prioritising and making safe those roads and structures deemed to be the most critical."
Ms Targa said crews had been using an average of 100 tonnes of cold mix each week to temporarily repair potholes.
"An average pothole requires 40 kilograms of cold mix, which equates to 2500 repairs per week," she said.
"This is an estimate only and a temporary solution until the weather improves and repairs can be undertaken.
"We appreciate that some potholes are not being tended to immediately, however our crews continue to work incredibly long hours in often difficult conditions to restore our roads as soon as practical."
The council's pothole maintenance crew was one of the key initiatives in the 2022/23 Operational Plan and Budget with $1.3 million in additional funding allocated for the next three years including staffing, materials and new plant (truck) costs.
This figure comes on top of more than $5.5 million already allocated annually to local and regional road maintenance and repairs.
The council's Acting Director Service and Project Delivery Greg Bray said several weeks of sustained dry weather was necessary for permanent repairs to be undertaken.
"Until we receive more favourable weather our focus will remain on undertaking immediate pothole repairs and making roads safe," he said.
A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesperson said motorists could lodge a claim with the council for damage to their vehicle due to impact damage with a pothole on a local road.
"It should be noted that the lodgement/completion of the council's online claim form does not mean the council automatically accepts liability," they said,
"All claims will be assessed under the NSW Civil Liability Act 2002.
"It is recommended motorists who have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance lodge their claims with their insurer in the first instance.
"For any claim to be considered, written evidence and proof of loss documents must be provided to the council to substantiate the damage/loss."
They also reiterated that the council has limited financial resources to maintain roads.
"There have been increased potholes due to severe weather events in the past 12 months which have significantly impacted the council's efforts to repair and maintain roads," they said.
To report damage or a hazard phone Wingecarribee Shire Council at 4868 0888 (24/7) or visit the council's website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Contact-Us.
- Where are some of the worst potholes in the region? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au with the location and picture.
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