Delivered ‘Differently’: Building more sustainable local roads

As part of the Better Local Roads, Strategic Sealed Roads program, Cardinia Shire Council has sealed and upgraded the entire 6km length of Dore Road in Nar Nar Goon and 6km of Mt Lyall Road in Heath Hill from Westernport Road to the municipal boundary.

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Councillor Jack Kowarzik is pleased to see more local roads being sealed.

“This is a great outcome for our community. We’ve not only sealed two additional strategic links within our road network to help improve road conditions and safety for drivers, but we managed to save our community money and our local environment at the same time.”

While the main objective of the Strategic Sealed Roads program is to create sealed connections within our local road network, the program also focuses on using sustainable road construction methods to reduce environmental impacts and protect native vegetation and wildlife.

By taking an avoid and minimise approach to design and construction on Dore Rd and Mt Lyall Rd, adjusting the plans, working with existing conditions, and utilising innovative cutting edge survey technology, Council was able to deliver upgrades, reduce the environmental impacts, limit tree removal and help protect and preserve the beautiful local fauna, flora and ecosystems in the area, while saving significant money.

“Taking a holistic approach to infrastructure and road projects like these, we focus on not only delivering upgrades for the community, but also working on ways to be more financially and environmentally sustainable in the process.” Mayor Kowarzik said.

Council used ground penetrating radar technology on Dore Road and Mt Lyall Rd as part of the initial environmental surveys to create a 3D model of the trees and their roots above and below ground. These surveys enabled Council to better understand impacts and helped inform the planning and design process for these projects.

“By working differently and adjusting the designs and delivery for Dore Rd and Mt Lyall Rd, it’s estimated that 95% of the identified trees were saved from removal across both projects. These changes helped establish a more sustainable approach and contributed to significant construction cost savings including vegetation offsets.”

Community feedback also helped inform the outcome of the Mt Lyall Road project, which lead to further road safety improvements being incorporated into the design.

Upon receiving feedback and a review being conducted around the existing road pavement near the CFA Station, Council determined that the road needed to be widened to allow safe traffic movements for large vehicles. Where possible, additional road and shoulder widening works were incorporated into the project scope to increase the width from around 5m to over 7m in certain sections.

“I’m proud to see how we’ve worked to find a more sustainable way to deliver these infrastructure projects, listened to community feedback and remained committed to delivering the best result” Mayor Kowarzik said.

Works are now complete on both projects and were jointly funded by Council and the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure fund.

For more information on upgrades being completed and planned around the shire, please visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/majorprojects