Letter to the editor

First, I would like to correct the one and only error in my letter. Jeva Ali did not attend a meeting on 28th May 2023 and we have never met.

I would also like to state that the remaining content of the letter is factually correct and that I have appropriate evidence to support my claims. I completely reject claims by the CEO that any of my claims are incorrect. I’m disappointed that threats of legal action have been made against myself for simply raising valid concerns (based in fact) about a $1.8M project that does not follow Industry Best Practice. I would request that any other ratepayer who has been intimidated in this fashion contact me via Facebook as I would like to determine if this modus operandi is widespread.

Through an FOI request I have specifically asked Strathbogie Shire Council for the following supporting Documentation for the weir road upgrade works:

• All Stormwater Drainage computations (including catchment analysis and flood analysis) provided from CAF to council.

• Full Geotechnical Report specifying road pavement design.

• Traffic Report including traffic function layout plan.

• Earthworks plan for the construction of Weir Road Upgrade works Stormwater Quality report (WSUD)

The FOI officer has only provided me with the Geotechnical Report. Claiming in the notice of decision dated 19/7/2023 that “after conducting the searches outlined above the following documents do not exist or cannot be located.

• All Stormwater Drainage computations (including catchment analysis and flood analysis) provided from CAF to council.

• Traffic Report including traffic function layout plan.

• Earthworks plan for the construction of Weir Road Upgrade works Stormwater Quality report (WSUD).

Stormwater Quality report (WSUD)”

The problem is that at a meeting with the Mayor and CEO on the 27th July the CEO stated that a flood study was completed, but that it used old outdated data as no contemporary data was available. So why couldn’t the FOI officer find any documents relating to Flood Analysis when the CEO told me that they exist?

Also, the civil engineering company who designed this upgrade provided a link to “functional design and turning movement plans” in an email to Council on the 19/11/2021 and an updated version in another email on the 1/3/2022. So why couldn’t the FOI officer find any documents relating to this, as they fall under my request for a Traffic Report including traffic function layout plan?

Seriously, how can they not find these documents, is their archiving system non-existent? I believe that there is no other conclusion other than Council is hiding information and applying delaying tactics, as I now have to write a complaint to the Victorian Information Commissioner to access these documents.

In the CEO’s letter it is stated that it is not possible to design the recommended 7m wide road as per the Guide to Good Road Design. This is an interesting statement as emails that I did receive under the FOI suggests otherwise. Early designs were based on the IDM and Austroads Guide to Road Design.

On the 13/8/2021 the original Consultants Brief contained a Scope of Works for a 9.4m wide road with a sealing width of 6.4m two-lane road. The consultant was tasked to produce two options, with removal of trees and without. However, on 7/12/2021 Council emailed the consultants instructing them to “submit a design where no trees are required to be removed (excluding safety issues) and the seal width shall be 4.0m with 1m gravel shoulders”. So, what changed? Well in the same email Council states that “timeframes are tight and that any proposed tree remove will also be met with objections from the general community” as justification. So, it would

Cloth nappy workshop held during Plastic Free July

Avenel parents were treated to a free cloth nappy workshop with Emma Avery during Plastic Free July.

The workshops were offered to empower parents to select the correct cloth nappies and accessories for the children.

Other topics included the correct technique for appear that it was possible to design a road that complied with the Guide to Road Design, but the Council chose not to. Why shouldn’t ratepayers know the justification for this decision?

While it is true that a Road Safety Audit is only mandated for Regional Roads Victoria assets, the council has signed up to implement the Infrastructure Design Manual and this manual states that Road Safety Audits are expected to be conducted. I’d also point out that Council still has to meet industry ethical and moral standards, and it is beyond belief that Council staff are prepared to argue that one is not required. Contrary to the CEO’s letter, Council cannot guarantee that the design “meets all safety and design standards” when is has no audit to determine what safety issues need to be considered in the design.

I’d also like to point out that the civil engineering company who designed this upgrade also had concerns about the safety of the design. In an email dated 19/11/2021 the consulting engineer wrote:

“the main issue I would like to discuss is the four way Weir – Reedy Lake – Richards – Hudson Rd intersection. I am concerned that large vehicles need to cross onto the wrong side of the road to navigate the intersection. This would create a dangerous situation for oncoming traffic, especially when the road is sealed which will create a higher speed environment. This dangerous situation may be mitigated by land acquisition as shown in drawing 3697/C26. Please refer to turning movements plan 3697/TM06”

Turning movements plan! That’s the document that the FOI officer states doesn’t exist or can’t be found!

I’d really like to know how this “dangerous situation” was resolved.

While on safety, I have grave concerns about the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. I regularly see both using Weir Rd and this use is sure to increase when the road is sealed. Incredibly pedestrians were excluded from Councils original brief to the consultant. It would appear that Council do not believe that pedestrians use Weir Rd.

Why is Council so determined to keep these details hidden? Just be open and honest with the ratepayers who pay your wages and expect transparency and good governance in return.

On the 25/6/2023 and on three separate occasions since, I have asked the CEO these five questions: laundering and troubleshooting problems such as leaks and getting the correct fit.

• Can you indicate if the councillors had the full information of the risk of not upgrading the road to cater for the increase of traffic volume of weir road?

• Did anyone discuss in those meetings that to meet the required standards and guidelines the road should be widened to 7.0m?

• Could you indicate if the risks associated with a sub-standard design was discussed in any meeting prior to council approval on this design?

• Were councillors advised of the risk associated with the close proximity of trees to the proposed single lane road design?

• and were the implications of the Coronial Investigation into the fatality on Mullers Rd 20 Jan 2022 (COR 2022 0397) discussed?

I’m still waiting on an answer.

On the 6/7/2023 I sent an email to all councillors asking the same questions.

I’m still waiting on an answer.

Article contributed by Mr P Lancaster (contact details supplied).

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Go Nagambie. Every effort is made by Go Nagambie to ensure that the information contained within the Community Voice is correct. Personal views expressed in this publication are solely those of the respective contributors and do not reflect those of the publisher or its agents. Reproduction in whole or in part of this publication is strictly prohibited without prior consent. Photographic rights remain the property of the Community Voice Newspaper.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said several local parents had taken up cloth nappies thanks to Council’s Cloth Nappy Rebate Program. Cr Binks said local parents who had not already taken up the opportunity could still access Council’s one-off cloth nappy rebate.

“After conducting two six-month trials of the Cloth Nappy Rebate Program, Council extended the