Road grading

Potholes can develop quickly where the road pavement is softened, particularly when water has soaked into the road.

Potholes recur often due to their depth, as graders can only cut as deep as the gravel extends. Graders use their blades to cut into the road surface and reshape the road, which can help repair the recurrence of shallow potholes.

If roads are cut too deep, clay and other soil are brought to the surface, further degrading the road surface and damaging the surface layer.

Recurring deeper potholes can sometimes be resolved through re-sheeting, and we may apply this treatment when the road has many deep potholes. However, this may not always fix pothole reoccurrence if the issue is a weak sub-layer.

Applications for road sealing may be applied for under Council’s Special Charge Scheme.

The road is watered during the grading process to assist bind and compact the road adequately. The road requires a few days to settle, dry out and ‘seal off’. Taking extra caution and driving to the road conditions after the grading process is essential.

No, driveways, also known as vehicle crossings, located from the property boundary to the edge of the road are the owner's responsibility to maintain, including installing, maintaining, or replacing the driveway culvert pipe if required. Vehicle crossings are private property accesses and not public roads.

No, the grader operator is maintaining the existing road design. The roads and runoffs have been designed for the safety of road users and the longevity of the road network. Any concerns regarding the slope or shape of the road should be directed to the council for investigation by calling 1300 368 333 or emailing mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

• Corrugations form when road materials move. They are far more common during dry, warm weather when materials are easily loosened due to a lack of moisture.
• Corrugations can form within days of roads being graded when the roads are very dry.
• Roads with more traffic and higher speed limits are more prone to corrugations.
• Intersections, corners and hills are more likely to form corrugations due to frequent acceleration and braking. Accelerating and braking more gently helps preserve our roads, and is safer. 

Additional grades outside of the annual program are very unlikely as the grader is required to stay on the program to avoid delays.  As such, the road grading process is not reactive to customer requests. 

Temporary works, such as filling potholes with rock, may be completed in between scheduled grades if required, and a request for an inspection to decide this can be raised. Please note that corrugations that can form during warmer weather can only be removed through the grading process, and additional grades are very unlikely due to grading being on the program. Drivers should always adjust their speed accordingly and drive to the condition of the road at any given time.

No, as these works are completed as per the Council’s Road Maintenance Program. Any further queries or concerns should be directed to the Council by calling 1300 368 333 or by emailing the Council at mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au, as operators are only completing works as directed. 

Rock is placed on the roads, as required, for ongoing road surface maintenance. Rock ensures the road has the correct shape and surface for road users' safety. Over time, however, rock is lost due to traffic and environmental conditions and needs to be replaced. 

The default speed limits apply if there are no posted speed limits on an unsealed road.

The default speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h, and it is 100km/h on country roads.

To alter a speed zone on a local road, the Council must receive approval from VicRoads. VicRoads is unlikely to approve a speed zone other than the default speeds on unsealed roads.

Unsealed roads change often because of traffic and weather. Drivers should adjust their speed accordingly depending on the road condition, slowing down when necessary.

Police enforcement of speed limits can be requested at your local Police Station or by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Graders are large, heavy vehicles with limited vision. If a grader is approaching you, the safest thing to do is pull up safely and wait for the grader to pass you.

Graders can struggle to pull over or reverse up the road. Further, other construction vehicles may often follow the grader. 

For your safety, it is important to stay a safe distance away from the machinery. This means maintaining 3 metres on either side and 10 metres in front and behind the machinery. This ensures your safety and allows the operator to see you.