Roads
The Council's road making and maintenance is the largest item of expenditure in the Council's budget. Road funding comes from various sources ie from Federal and State Government grants and from local rates imposed by Council. Altogether Council controls some 2000 km of roads within the Parkes Shire. Road Ownership, Classification and Responsibilities
Roads may be classified into four areas ie National Roads, State Roads, Regional Roads and Local Roads. - National Road - funded by the Commonwealth Government but managed by the RTA.
- State Road - funded by the State Government but managed by the RTA.
- Regional Road - funded by the RTA but managed by Council.
- Local Road - funded and managed by Council.
Finance for Roads
Finance for work on National Roads is provided by the Commonwealth Government and is generally administered by the RTA through Single Invitation Maintenance Contracts. Finance for State and Regional Roads is provided for by the State Government under the following programs: - State Road - Single Invitation Maintenance Contract
- Regional Roads
- Block Grant
- REPAIR program (in competition with other Councils)
- an additional allocation (previously provided under the 3x3 program)
Finance for Local Roads is funded from Commonwealth Government's Financial Assistance Grant - Roads Component and Council's own funds. The Australian Government initiative, the Roads to Recovery Programme, has been operating from 2001/01 to 2004/05, with an extended programme announced for 2005/06 to 2008/09. Road Statistics
In Parkes Shire there are: - 1747 kilometres of local roads, 449 km sealed and 1298 km unsealed. In addition there is 500 km of formed road that receives occasional grading and patching.
- 233 kilometres of Regional Roads, 140 sealed and 93 unsealed.
- 95 kilometres of State Road
- 6.7 kilometres of National Highways maintained by Parkes Shire Council.
Workforce
Council has approximately 35 wages staff that works on roads, footpaths, and kerb and gutter programs, as well as six engineering staff. Plant
Council operates an extensive plant fleet on roadworks. The fleet includes six graders, four loaders, two backhoes, three rollers, five tipping trucks, excavator, bulldozer, low loader, jetpatcher and minor plant and equipment. Footpaths
Footpaths are deemed to be part of the road. Footpaths are Council's responsibility. The footpath areas in the main towns within Parkes Shire is as follows: - Parkes 37,600 m2
- Peak Hill 7,194 m2
- Trundle 1,430 m2
- Tullamore 1,292 m2
- Bogan Gate 634 m2
Kerb and Gutter
Kerb and gutter is also deemed to be part of the road. Kerb and gutter length within Parkes Shire is about 138 km. Generally residents are required to contribute half the cost of kerb and gutter works in most cases. There are areas where the need for kerb and gutter has been identified but the adjoining resident did not wish to contribute. Council in the past has either proceeded with full cost being met by Council or not proceeded with the work. The Kerb and Gutter allocation includes funding for providing vehicle entrances. Roads, Kerb & Guttering and Footpaths (Loan Savings)
Council recently paid off the remaining loans in the General Fund. As a result, the funds that were previously used to repay the loans have been allocated to the areas where loans were traditionally taken out, being for infrastructure improvement works. Council has recognised the importance of maintaining the use of these funds on infrastructure improvements and has approved a long-term plan for this funding including works on roads, kerb and guttering and footpaths. Street Lighting
Council is responsible for the provision of street lighting in the urban areas. The capital cost of new lighting, as well as an annual charge on the electricity used by each light, is met from Council funds. Country Energy is the current supplier and they carry out any maintenance required on the system as part of the annual charge. Route lighting on the National and State Roads is subsidised by the Roads and Traffic Authority. Beautification
Beautification of road works, particularly the main streets has become an objective of many Councillors sitting in recent years. Parkes has commenced beautification works in Clarinda Street, Parkes and Caswell Street, Peak Hill. Town Entrance Beautification has also being included in the Management Plan to improve the appearance of the approaches to towns. Street Trees
Council receives many requests for removal of trees or planting of new street trees. New planting is restricted to the newer areas and as replacement planting. The current program is one of replacement of unsuitable street trees. Requests for Road Works
In the past works such as gravel resheeting, have been included in a program following requests from residents. While this will continue, the main emphasis for program development will be on inspection of the network and prioritisation of required works to best meet the needs of the network rather than individual cases.
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