Road usage stirs up a dust storm

By Kelly Yates
INCREASED traffic in Warneet is causing severe dust problems, a resident says.
Anne Ormshaw, a Rutherford Parade resident for four years, said Casey Council and the State Government needed to take responsibility for the problem.
The State Government funded upgrades for the boat ramp facilities in Warneet and, as a result, there has been a massive increase in non resident traffic using the main roads in and out of Warneet – Rutherford Parade and Kallara Road.
“We have a severe dust problem here. We have a council who is reluctant to approach the State Government on our behalf to obtain some funding to seal the roads,” she said.
“I can’t even open my windows because the dust gets into everything,” Ms Ormshaw said.
“The previous mayor, Colin Butler, said the residents needed to be the prime movers in getting something done about the dust problems,” she said.
“Don’t keep telling the residents it’s a problem we have to solve as we might just take you seriously and close the road.”
Ms Ormshaw said while Casey took pride in being a safety conscious council, she was surprised to see the road grading staff not wearing dust masks.
Council said the roads were graded every fortnight and the staff, plant operators and contractors were required to wear personal protective equipment in accordance with the Worksafe regulations and codes of practice.
“Casey should provide all Warneet residents with a year’s supply of dust masks,” she said.
“We’ve paid our rates, it’s time to give us something back,” she said.
“Don’t keep pushing the issue away for future councillors to wrestle with.”
Casey’s manager for engineering and environment David Richardson said council was aware that Kallara Road and Rutherford Parade were not only used by local residents.
Because of the multipurpose use of the roads, he said, they were considered important. In November 2007, council referred them to the priority list for the unsealed roads program for consideration for construction in the coming years.
He said council officers have had discussions with State Government representatives to fund the construction of the roads but no programs were identified.