2016-07-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                        12 JULY 2016



 Road Details                             Council Standard                         Proposed Design

 Width                                    3.0 m sealed on 6.0 formation            3.0 m Sealed

 Gradient for 60% of length               15%                                      26.5%

 Surface Treatment                        Bitumen                                  Concrete

 Passing Lanes                            1 every 100 metres                       1 every 100 metres

The proposed construction plans include road gradients in excess of Council’s maximum safe
road grades of 15%, with the proposed road gradients being up to 26.5%.
While the topography of the existing road reservation along the subject section of Hoop Pine
Road means that suitable gradient and safe road design standards cannot be met, the proposed
gradients are considered dangerous and present a significant risk to drivers. The steep gradient
means that there is the potential risk of drivers losing control of the vehicle and the potential for
loss of grip between tyres on the proposed concrete surface. To address this risk, the applicant’s
engineering consultant has proposed a concrete surface with transverse grooves to maximise the
grip. However, given the vegetated nature of the road corridor and the high rainfall in this area
transverse grooves are unlikely to fully mitigate vehicles from slipping. Further, the risk to driver
safety is heightened by the steep drop off the ridge where the proposed concrete carriageway is
proposed.
The gradients proposed will also require additional maintenance works to be undertake to ensure
all weather access for slip resistance and adequate function of drains in this area. This will result
in additional costs to Council and there may also be some Work Place Health & Safety risks
associated with officers maintaining the works on these steep gradients.
The preferred option for the applicant would be to seek a closure of the roadway and
amalgamation of the subject section of road reserve into 22 Hoop Pine Road. This would remove
Council from any potential liability and maintenance responsibilities. While the design would not
improve the safety issues raised, the access driveway would the responsibility of the owner to
maintain it regularly.
It is therefore recommended that the application be refused.
Departments/Sections Consulted:

   Chief Executive Officer                      Community Services                         Corporate Services
   Executive Officer to the Mayor & CEO         Community Facilities                       Financial Services
   Executive Support                            Community Development                      ICT
                                                Libraries & Galleries                      Procurement & Fleet
                                                Local Laws                                 Property & Facilities
                                                Waste & Environmental Health               Revenue Services

   Executive Office                         x   Planning & Infrastructure
   Community Engagement                         Building & Plumbing Services
   Customer Service                             Civil Operations
   Economic Development                         Infrastructure Planning & Design
   Governance                               x   Planning & Environment
   Human Resources                              Strategic Land Use Planning
   Sustainability




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