WA shires charged 'ridiculous' traffic management costs for events, maintenance work
The Shire of Manjimup says "ridiculous" traffic management costs halted work on the town's timber archway. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
In short:
A shire in WA's South West is calling for Main Roads to review the cost of traffic management after it was forced to halt works because of costs.
The Shire of Manjimup's maintenance works for its timber archway would cost the shire $35,000, while Main Roads estimates a cost of $228,000 to manage roads during the refurbishments.
What's next?
A spokesperson for Main Roads said they would continue to work with the shire to explore alternatives that might help reduce costs.
The cost of managing traffic for community-based events and standard road maintenance is becoming a burden on local governments in southern Western Australia.
The Shire of Manjimup says "ridiculous" costs associated with traffic management have put a halt to maintenance works for the town's iconic timber archway.
The arch, located at the northern entry-point of the town, requires repainting and restoration, which the shire estimates would cost $35,000.
Donelle Buegge says the costs imposed by Main Roads have put a stop to maintenance works. (ABC South West WA: Jon Daly)
Traffic management needed for the works, which is expected to last three weeks, goes through state government agency Main Roads Western Australia.
Main Roads has told the shire that cost would be $228,000.
'Not in the budget'
Shire President Donelle Buegge said she did not want the cost to be passed on to future generations.
"We have had to put it on hold; that amount just isn't in our budget this year," she said.
"It's not something that we want to impose on future councils because that cost could just continually go up."
Ms Buegge said the cost of temporarily closing the section of highway would impact the local economy as well as the shire's budget.
Road management costs are set by Main Roads. (ABC Radio Adelaide: Malcolm Sutton)
"[Traffic costs have] seen the cessation of quite a few events and the jeopardising of many many others in very small towns … economically, it's a huge hit to small towns," she said.
"If we lose our events, trying to get them back is sometimes impossible."
Ms Buegge said the significant costs needed to be addressed.
"This is a big conversation that we have either at our alliance or our state zone level, and it has escalated to the state council level as well," she said.
Manjimup Shire will formally appeal to the state government to review current traffic management regulations.
Hundred years of racing axed amid rising costs
Jamie Maloney was the organiser of the Donnybrook-Collie and Return Cycling Classic, a race that first began in 1925.
The 100th event was also its last held in the South West.
Mr Maloney said about 40 per cent of the total money raised by volunteers was spent on traffic management.
"I understand that we need the cost, but it jumped significantly about three years ago and it was just getting out of hand,"he said.
"Four or five years ago, we were only paying $4,000 to $5,000 and now it's up to $10,100 already, and it's just continuing to climb.
Jamie Maloney says he has noticed a trend of community cycling competitions struggling to keep afloat. (Supplied: Collie-Donnybrook and Return Cycling Classic)
"If most of that sponsorship is going towards traffic management, then you've got nothing else for advertising, for prize money, for trophies and all that type of stuff."
Director of the Great Southern's Elleker Running Festival, Carl Heslop, said he was "desperate" for the event to continue, but costs meant future runs were unlikely.
"We've gone to other sources to see if we can get a cheaper quote. We're trying to put in grants," he said.
"All of those things take volunteer time, and it does seem crazy that you've got to apply for government money to then pay for a service, which is about using a government road."
Mains Roads Western Australia says it subsidises event traffic controller training. (ABC News: Joel Wilson/file photo)
Main Roads to work with shire
A Main Roads spokesperson said it would continue to work with the Shire of Manjimup to explore alternatives that might help reduce costs.
"A number of exemptions exist that allow certain activities to be undertaken on state roads without the need to engage a registered traffic management company, particularly for routine or repetitive maintenance activities," they said.
The spokesperson said support was also available for event organisers through subsidised event traffic controller training.
Main Roads covers up to 50 per cent of the cost of the course for event volunteers, the spokesperson said.