WODONGA’S annual bill for major road repairs will almost double in the next 20 years.
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The cost of major work on the city’s roads will grow from $3.5 million to $6.2 million over the next 20 to 25 years.
The increased figure takes into account the city’s future expansion and was revealed in a report at the council’s October 20 meeting.
The report, Road Asset Management Plan, details the council’s plan to manage the city’s road network in an efficient and effective manner.
It also describes how council manages more than 486 kilometres of roads with a replacement value of more than $327 million.
The council also spends $3.1 million a year on daily road maintenance and minor repairs.
Business services director Trevor Ierino said it was important council had plans to ensure the city’s roads were safe and achieved their maximum life in the most cost-effective manner.
“The council is in a strong position with its road program where we are meeting our renewal demand of up to $3.5 million a year in line with the direction to allocate funds to the critical renewal of existing assets,” he said.
Another report, Strategic Resource Plan, sets out how council can continue to maintain its level of renewal for the next 10 years with the appropriate budget allocation.
“Wodonga is taking a long-term planned and responsible approach to manage its road network assets, supported by a 10-year financial plan and a 20-to 25-year capital plan,” Mr Ierino said.
He said prudent long-term planning and “a forward-looking capital plan”, had the council very well prepared to meet its asset renewal needs in future budgets, “while delivering the services and facilities to which our growing city aspires”.
Mr Ierino said Wodonga was in a unique position where its assets were of moderate age and it had the opportunity to ensure they were well-maintained into the future.