By Dominique Tassell
Leyburn locals have demanded better road conditions, with a significant discussion at the recent Connecting with Council meeting.
Locals said drainage in the area was quite poor and asked how they could get that into the budget.
They stated that when it rains they can’t leave their property and this is a continual issue.
Another man, who owns a block in town but cannot build on it due to drainage issues, said he had been “constantly in contact” with engineers and managers about the issues and doesn’t know what to do.
“Do I keep paying rates for something I can’t use?“
When Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi suggested they take down his address, another local said he should take down the whole town.
Locals complained that work has been done in other villages during wet weather conditions but not in Leyburn.
One local said Leyburn has always been “the pimple on council’s bum”.
Council does “nothing for Leyburn,” they said.
“Locals have complained for years and Council doesn’t do anything.“
Various locals complained about the repair work done on their roads, stating in many cases it caused new problems such as gravel on roads puncturing tires and water being problematically redirected.
One local said the council staff were “dam builders“, as roads they graded could not be navigated when it rains.
Another local said their road was taken way below footpath level when repaired and it “was a swimming pool next time it rained“.
“It’s like if you complain, they come in and wreck your road because you complained.“
Locals said they are getting sick of hearing they need to drive to the conditions or being told they chose to live there.
“If you drive to the conditions of the road, you don’t leave your property.“
Mayor Pennisi spoke of the workload they are dealing with, stating there are potholes big enough to fit a car.
They have at best two years of road repair in the region and one road will always be the last they do, he said. They rely on officers to prioritise the repair work.
“I don’t control the tap,“ he said. “I don’t turn the rain on and off and it continues to rain.“
“It’s going to be a minimum of two years and that’s without any more rain.“
