A Bairnsdale motorcyclist is concerned East Gippsland Shire Council’s attitude to loose gravel on road edges is placing motorcyclists and other road users at risk.
Alistair Mackay, an experienced motorcyclist, is concerned road contractors have changed to a finer grade gravel which gets swept across the road by traffic movements, placing all road users at risk.
He took his concerns to East Gippsland Shire Council but was disappointed with the response from various staff.
Alistair said it was not until he lodged an official complaint that he received a response from chief executive Fiona Weigall to say the shire would make further inquiries about his concerns.
Alistair said it required some persistence on his behalf and he was concerned people may be quickly dismissed before their concerns are taken seriously.
He said the loose gravel problem was throughout the shire, making some roads dangerous for motorcyclists and other road users.
“This subject is raw for me and I become quite emotional because of personal road trauma,” he said.
“To me the gravel is being used on the road edges, it is steel grey in colour making it difficult to see in shadows and spreads across the road because it is only semi compacted.
After getting no satisfactory answers to his questions Alistair researched the Road Management Act and council’s duty of care.
He further contacted shire staff and again was not satisfied with the responses.
“One staff member suggested my expectations were too high. After witnessing a friend and his wife on a motorbike almost lose control, I ask what should my expectations be?” he said.
Alistair said he was told to download the Snap Send Solve app and send through areas of concern.
“Why should I download an app that charges $8 a month when it is their (council) job to oversee the work of contractors.”
Alistair also wrote to Premier Jacinta Allen, but his letter was referred to Local Government Minister Melissa Horne.
“I didn’t get anywhere until I lodged an official complaint with the shire. To her credit I believe Fiona Weigall is trying to address many issues at the shire.
“There seems to be an attitude among staff that they don’t have to do anything about complaints if they don’t want to.
“The shire staff have oversight where these works are concerned and I don’t see that that has been happening.
“I believe Fiona Weigall is trying to change that attitude and I am grateful for her immediate response.”
He said his concerns also were highlighted with a recent court settlement for a man injured in a motorcycle accident in New South Wales.
The settlement related to a lack of loose gravel warning signs in Kyogle Shire Council, NSW. Alistair is awaiting direct contact with a senior staff member to further discuss his concerns.
