Council maintains approximately 630 km of sealed public roads, 455 km of unsealed public roads and 180 bridges on roads within the Great Lakes Council area. Types of maintenance undertaken by Council include:

Filling of potholes Grading of gravel roads Linemarking Street sweeping Guidepost / guardrail maintenance Kerb and gutter maintenance Footpath maintenance Pedestrian facility maintenance Traffic facility maintenance Bridge maintenance Clearing of blocked pipelines or overgrown drains in a roadway

Council is not responsible for the maintenance of privately owned roads.

Requests for Maintenance

For maintenance requests on Council roads or footpaths, contact Council's Customer Service Centre and provide:

• Your name and contact details;
• Exact location of the maintenance issue;
• Comprehensive details of the maintenance issue.

Alternatively, you can complete a Service Request Form and return it to Council.  Once your request is received, Council staff will undertake an inspection and schedule any necessary maintenance.

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Maintenance of Existing Street Lights

Although Council pays for the costs associated with the installation and use of street lights, Council is not responsible for the maintenance of existing street lights. For further assistance in relation to faulty street lights please contact Essential Energy.

Requests for Installation of Additional Street Lights

Council provides a limited budget for the installation of new street lights each year. If you would like a new street light installed in your street, apply to Council in writing with specific information detailing where you would like the street light installed and the reasons why. Council will then consider your application for inclusion on Council's street lighting priority list.

The Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) is responsible for the maintenance of traffic lights.

For further information regarding the installation of traffic and pedestrian lights refer to Traffic and Pedestrian Safety.

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Council is responsible for stormwater drainage facilities in the Great Lakes area, including stormwater pipes and culverts, concrete and earth open drains, detention basins, gross pollutant traps and constructed wetlands.

For further assistance in relation to water or sewerage please contact MidCoast Water.

Cleaning of Stormwater Drains

If there is a Council pipeline or a drain that is blocked or overgrown you can contact Council's Customer Service Centre and provide details regarding the location of the issue so that an inspection can be arranged.  Alternatively, you can complete a Service Request Form and return it to Council.

Please note that in some instances the reeds that grow in drains and wetlands assist in keeping the lakes clean.  They slow down the flow of the water allowing sediments to drop out and nutrients to be absorbed.  These reeds will not be removed.

Excess Stormwater

From a Public Road
Problems involving surface water entering private property from a roadway, drainage easement or a reserve may involve Council.  If you have a problem with natural surface water run-off on your street or running off the street onto your property you can contact Council's Customer Service Centre and lodge a request for the issue to be investigated.  Alternatively, you can complete a Service Request Form and return it to Council.

From an Adjoining Property
For problems caused by surface or underground water drainage from one property to another, or for other stormwater and flood management related issues refer to Flooding and Flood Management.

Stormwater Management Service Charge (Section 496A)

The State Government amended the Local Government Act in 2006 to encourage councils to implement a program of major improvements to stormwater management, funded by a stormwater levy.  This is in addition to funds already allocated in the budget for stormwater projects.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the rainwater that flows over land or through pipes.  When it rains, some stormwater is collected from your roof, driveways or paved areas, and drains to the existing public stormwater system and into our rivers, creeks and lakes.

Which land is eligible to be charged for the provision of stormwater management services?

Land within an urban area (a town or village) that is in the residential or business categories for rating purposes for which Council provides stormwater management services is eligible to be charged for the provision of stormwater management services.

What land is exempt from the charge?

Vacant land, land exempt from rates (eg. schools, churches, hospitals), non urban land and land owned by the Crown.  In addition, rateable land held under a lease for private purposes granted under the Housing Act 2001 or the Aboriginal Housing Act 1998 are also exempt from this charge under the provisions.

What do I get for my money and how will I know it will be spent on stormwater projects?

Funds raised by the levy will be allocated to urgent work that will improve the management of stormwater across the Council area.  Works include upgrading stormwater systems, gross pollutant trap and constructed wetland maintenance, stormwater reuse and harvesting programs, and community education.  All additional work undertaken and funds spent will be reported as a separate item in Council's annual report.

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Council currently spends approximately $8m annually on renewal works, which includes pavement rehabilitation, reconstruction and resealing works.   

Major upgrading and renewal works are undertaken on a priority basis depending on road condition and traffic numbers.  Works on Regional Roads are funded by the RTA, State and Federal government grant programs. Grant applications are submitted annually under various programs for upgrading of damaged sections of pavement on the regional road network, which includes The Lakes Way, The Bucketts Way, Myall Way and Stroud Hill Road. For further information regarding major road works on specific roads, please contact Council.

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