WDRC Reseal Program

Western Downs roads are now safer thanks to the completion of Western Downs Regional Council’s annual reseal program.

Council has recently completed resealing of over 850,000m2 of road this financial year, which equates to 1.83 million litres of bitumen and 9,600 tonnes of aggregate.

Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Works and Technical Services Councillor George Moore said the program ensured Council provided a safe and sustainable road network by performing timely renewal of sealed surfaces. “The Western Downs has the second largest road network in the country, covering more than 7,500 kilometres – which is roughly the same distance as driving from Dalby to Perth and back,” Cr Moore said.

“Our Reseal Program is a significant program for our region, with just over $3 million invested into the program in 2020-21.”

Cr Moore said the Reseal Program also delivered environmentally friendly outcomes with recycled rubber used as part of the bitumen.

“Our works have an added environmental benefit, with around 274,500 kilograms of recycled rubber used as part of the bitumen mixture. That’s the equivalent of around 34,300 passenger car tyres.

“This recycled rubber – which is sourced from old tyres and blended locally – is not only environmentally friendly, but also provides a stronger, sturdier road surface.

Residents are reminded to report any road damage to local roads by using the Snap, Send, Solve App for mobile or contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads to report damage on state-owned roads.

For more information contact Council on 1300 COUNCIL (286 624).

Sam Fitzgerald Works Manager –Maintenance, Western Downs Regional Council

Delivery of the 2021 reseal included prior works and sprayed sealing of 93 sites across the entire Western Downs. These sites were selected by shortlisting based on asset condition and seal age data, and then inspected to prioritise the site and determine the scope of prior works required. Council maintains a rolling three-year Reseal Program to allow effective prioritisation of

sites, forecasting of costs, and identification of opportunities for efficiency during delivery. Council also delivers all reseals for recent construction projects as part of this program. This yields costs savings for these construction projects, as well as improved quality outcomes when compared to Council’s historic practice of two-coat seals on construction projects.

S15RF/S45R was the chosen binder due to improved resilience to cracking, aggregate retention, and relatively low cost. With expansive subgrades throughout much of the region, cracking is a common mechanism of seal failure. Considering most of Council’s pavements are constructed of marginal materials, S15RF/S45R provides good value in ensuring the seal continues to provide adequate waterproofing to the pavement throughout its functional life. S15RF/S45R is also a generally more robust binder providing improved confidence on a seal network subject to significant fluctuations in traffic volume and composition based on seasonal demands of primary industry and coal seam gas development in the region.

Council has also invested in delivering a high standard of prior works, spending an equivalent of 25% of the reseal budget in repairs prior to resealing. This program aims to repair defects at a much lower severity than Council’s typical maintenance, restoring the pavement to a sound condition and giving confidence that underlying pavement defects won’t compromise the target seal life. This strategy is allowing Council to delay reconstruction of sites, extending the life at a relatively low cost, and providing great value for Council in the ongoing management of its sealed assets.

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