Current roadworks being carried out between Black Mountain and Guyra have been the source of frustration for many locals, particularly during the recent wet weather. One man who owns property on either side of the road where the work is being carried out has more reason than most to be concerned.
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Gordon Youman is long-time resident and primary producer who also operates the Black Mountain Nursery which is situated in the roadwork zone. He has become increasingly frustrated with the lack of accountability from the management of the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) who have refused to take responsibility for issues which have directly impacted on his business and will continue to impact long after the roadworks have been completed.
“I am not against the work, however some of the things that have happened just don’t make sense,” he said. “They cut down three of the heritage poplars at the intersection with the Black Mountain road, supposedly to improve visibility, but left a stand of wattle and hawthorn which was (and still is) more of a hazard.”
Mr Youman has also made repeated approaches about access to his property, and has been frustrated at the lack of a real action from the RMS who say that they ‘will not be conducting any work regarding to private accesses’.
This is despite the fact that a drainage pipe at one of his entrances was broken by RMS trucks while carrying out previous roadworks. The pipe is broken at both ends meaning the length is now such that he can no longer use this access to move machinery from one side of his property to the other.
The main access to the Black Mountain Nursery is also of concern with no drainage in place to divert water running of the new road surface. Mr Youman feels that the access will deteriorate during rain events and the responsibility lies with the RMS to ensure his access is not compromised by their work.
He also highlighted concerns with the spread of noxious weeds by machinery which is moved between work sites, with little care taken. African lovegrass is prevalent along the roadside and is being spread as the roadworks progress.
“Surely they have some responsibility to monitor the weeds and take measures to ensure they are not spread,” he said. “We have to control weeds on our property but are fighting a losing battle when governments departments are not doing the same.”
A spokesperson for Roads and Maritime Services said that it is planning to remove wattle trees north of the Black Mountain turn off on Friday.
Roads and Maritime has inspected the pipe at an access point to Mr Youman’s property and found damage which occurred before work started. The main entrance to Mr Youman’s property was also inspected on Wednesday, that inspection confirmed that road drainage is not impacting on his nursery.
Before any work started on this project, Roads and Maritime liaised with a local weed authority about how to best manage weeds during work and this advice has been followed. For example, rotary mowers are used to clear weeds at the edge of the road which reduces the chance of spreading weed seeds.
