Self Help Program Policy

Property owners on unsealed roads, who are willing to pay 50% of costs, can apply for work such as bitumen sealing, kerb and guttering and other works to be carried out in front of their property under Council’s Self Help Program Policy. Applications are reviewed once a year during preparation of Council’s Management Plan.

Applications may be accepted from individuals, groups of people or business interests to provide funding for projects which may otherwise not be considered by Council for inclusion in its works program. In considering the proposals, Council determines whether it is prepared to provide funding towards the project, and the extent of funding based on criteria set out in the policy.

Need for Rural Road Works Contributions

At the Works Committee meeting on 14 April 2009, Council requested a report on the feasibility of a policy allowing rural road sealing for property frontages on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis. Council frequently receives requests for dust suppression near rural dwellings but cannot meet them due to the high cost and limited effectiveness of available treatments. Bitumen sealing is the most effective solution; however, no policy currently permits isolated sections of road to be sealed. Councillors therefore supported developing a broader policy to enable voluntary community contributions towards a range of roadworks. Similar policies are in place at many councils, allowing property owners to contribute to public road infrastructure under defined criteria.

Adoption of a Community Contribution Framework

Council adopted a policy to accept community contributions toward road infrastructure projects not associated with development applications. It was proposed that guidelines be developed to support contributions across the full range of road and transport infrastructure, with these to be incorporated into the next review of the Road Network Management System.

For dust sealing works, the policy requires a minimum 50% contribution from the applicant toward the full cost of sealing the minimum 100 metres in front of the property. This would include all associated works such as earthworks, formation, drainage, pavement upgrades and bitumen sealing to a minimum width of 6 metres.

Application Assessment and Funding Process

To ensure Council can assess the impact of its contribution on the overall works program, it is proposed that all applications be considered as part of the following year’s Road Network Management Plan. Approved projects would then be funded in the subsequent financial year, with an annual cap on Council’s contribution determined based on submissions received. Council may also set an overall funding limit for the scheme to minimise impacts on its core capital works program.

The policy can be downloaded here: Self Help Program Policy