Call for community to join the Roads Advisory Committee
Published on 18 October 2018
Call for community to join the Roads Advisory Committee
Colac Otway Shire Council is providing a new opportunity for community members from across the shire to have an active role in helping improve our road network.
Mayor Joe McCracken said the establishment of the new Colac Otway Roads Advisory Committee provided a great opportunity to bring together community members and relevant road authority representatives to make a difference
“We know there are concerns with the condition of roads, which are critical both socially and economically for our region’s growth, and we are focused on improving all roads for all road users,” he said.
“Colac Otway Shire Council is responsible for maintenance of 557 kilometres of sealed roads, 1,014 kilometres of gravel roads and a further 48 kilometres of formed roads.
“It’s a massive task and Council’s Services and Operations team do a great job but we hope that more community involvement can support Council in our challenge to maintain and improve our road network.
“Earlier this year Council reviewed its Road Management Plan, which included increasing the frequency of road inspections, and now we are working towards establishing a Roads Advisory Committee.
“The primary responsibility of the Colac Otway Roads Advisory Committee will be to provide feedback to Council in relation to the strategic management of Council’s road assets,” Cr McCracken said.
“Council believes a Roads Advisory Committee will be an effective method of receiving feedback from the community and stakeholders relying on Council’s road network.”
The new committee will have up to three community representatives who reside in or around Colac, up to two community representatives who reside in a smaller town or rural areas of the shire and one representative who resides in or around Apollo Bay.
Community representatives will be joined on the committee by two appointed Councillors, with one Councillor as chairperson, appointed Council officers, invited representatives from emergency service agencies, Regional Roads Victoria, and industry representatives.
Cr Jason Schram said that while road safety would be a key focus, the committee would also aim to improve management of the road network as a whole.
“We look forward to hearing from local residents who want to get involved in improving the way we manage our road infrastructure and who have knowledge of the Colac Otway Shire road network, and the challenges involved with maintaining roads with our shire’s topography and climate,” Cr Schram said.
“And of course we hope our applicants represent the diversity of Colac Otway residents including their gender, age, vocation and road use,” he said.
“The selected community representatives will be required to attend meetings at least twice a year.”
Community members can ask for the Terms of Reference for the committee or more information by emailing inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au or in person at the Colac Otway Shire offices in Colac or Apollo Bay. Submissions for expressions of interest close at 5pm Friday 16 November, 2018.