Wednesday, 3 June 2026

 David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:49): (2553) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety in the other place. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge Cr Trudi Paton of Cardinia shire, who organised for me to meet with residents of Upper Beaconsfield to discuss serious problems with their dirt roads. My request for action is for the minister or a representative to do the same. I understand that the mayor of Cardinia shire Cr Brett Owen would be happy to facilitate this. For decades residents have been let down by successive governments, both state and federal, who have made no progress in sealing their roads. It is not unreasonable for people living on dirt roads in a growing area only 45 kilometres from the CBD to ask for their roads to be sealed. But to understand this properly, it is really important to see it for yourself.

Many of these roads, like Lenne Street and Sutherland Road, are on substantial slopes. The current drainage is little more than a small ditch of the kind you might expect to find in a developing country. At the end of one of these gutters I saw the entrance to a drain large enough to be a hazard for children. After light showers these roads become slippery, but after larger downpours they become streams that flood buildings and cause septic tanks to overflow. Several residents have woken up to find raw sewage on their properties. Residents also fear the dust and mould that may have already contributed to serious health issues. This deserves attention because it is a public health issue, not just a roads issue. This should have been done years ago, and surely it is time to seal the roads of Upper Beaconsfield.