Flinders MP Greg Hunt, right, celebrates the announcement of funding to seal Manks Road, Clyde with residents Alan and Jennifer Rowe.By Sarah Schwager
ONE of Casey’s most notorious unmade roads will soon be sealed.
Dust, dirt and mud could be a thing of the past for residents of Manks Road, Clyde, after Flinders MP Greg Hunt last week announced $860,000 in Federal Government funding to seal the final 2.7-kilometre section of the dirt road.
“I have met residents such as Alan and Jennifer Rowe on many occasions and am fully aware of the difficulties they have faced living on the unsealed section of Manks Road,” Mr Hunt said.
“This new funding should cover the residents’ contribution to the construction costs of Manks Road. I now urge Casey Council to contribute its share of funding to enable work to begin on sealing (this road) as soon as possible.”
However, in an email to councillors, Casey’s director of infrastructure services, Ray Butler, said while the council considered Manks Road an important road and it was listed on its unsealed roads program a property-owner contribution was still required and the federal funding did not replace that contribution.
“It is consistent and fair that the property owners along Manks Road contribute to the construction of Manks Road in the same way that other landowners have contributed to the construction of their roads under this program,” Mr Butler said.
Mr Hunt said the council had previously budgeted $800,000 of its own money for the $1.2 million completion of Manks Rd and would now only have to pay $400,000, which would be a windfall for other roads in the area.
Councillor Steve Beardon said residents of Manks Road should not be slugged with the special charge scheme.
“I am bitterly disappointed that council looks set to impose such a levy. I was of the impression that we will receive Federal Auslink funding by the end of the month ensuring no charge would be imposed on our residents,” he said.
“I would be very keen for the cost to be covered by council considering the sizeable contribution we have received from the Federal Government.”
Mr Butler said a report was being prepared for the council to consider the offer at the next council meeting on 5 June.
