Sealing Unsealed Roads
Yarra Ranges Council is the responsible road authority for almost 1,800km of road. 700Km of this network is unsealed.
There are areas throughout our municipality where unsealed roads are appropriate. This may be due to low volumes of traffic, no through roads or low housing density. We understand that summer dust and winter mud are a concern. Proactive maintenance is an important part of the overall asset management of our roads.
We receive many requests to seal and upgrade unsealed roads. The costs associated with this work are significant and have risen in recent years.
Road sealing projects are usually undertaken in partnership between Council and residents. This partnership is managed using a Special Charge Scheme. We ask residents to contribute to upgrades as they are the primary beneficiary of the work. This is because upgraded infrastructure increases property values and to disburse Council funds over a wider network of roads.
Because Yarra Ranges Council has a significant network of unsealed roads, and the upgrade costs are significant, unsealed roads will remain a key part of our transport future.
How are roads sealed?
Roads are sealed in one of these ways:
Residents pay for the road to be sealed through a special charge scheme
This is the most common way roads are sealed in the Yarra Ranges. Council may partly contribute towards the total project cost as an incentive for landowners to become involved.
Please note: Special Charge Scheme policy is under review because of Federal government funding cuts announced in January 2023. Part of the review may consider a new Landowner and Council funding mix for unsealed roads.
Special Charge Schemes are governed in accordance with Council’s Special Charge Scheme Policy 2024 and the Local Government Act 1989.
To learn more Special Charge Scheme FAQ’s
Federal and State Government funded programs
Generally, this funding is reserved for unsealed roads key community facilities and/or high traffic volumes. Council has limited funding via government grants which are earned through ongoing advocacy.
Developers as part of their planning permit obligations
In new subdivisions, the cost of infrastructure (such as sealed roads, footpaths and drainage) is shared across all lots to be sold by the developer. The purchaser of the new lot and its subsequent purchasers pay to get the benefits of the infrastructure.
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Council choose which roads to seal?
To assist with assessing requests for road sealing, an assessment guideline has been developed. The categories include:
- Number of Properties
- Community & Social Factors
- Socio Economic Factors
- Maintenance Costs & Requests
- Traffic Hierarchy & Volumes
- Road Access
- Environmental/Planning Overlays
Road safety is paramount when considering road usage and is considered across multiple categories. Council's commitment to road safety is continual and the road network plays an important role in supporting community safety.
Is my road being sealed?
We are currently reviewing our Special Charge Scheme policy and availability of funding for future projects. The review aims to determine Councils approach for sealing unsealed roads, including criteria and prioritisation for road construction projects.
Can you seal my road, as it must be expensive to keep grading it?
The annual cost of maintaining unsealed roads is large. However, the cost to upgrade them to a sealed surface is far greater. Council does not have a budget to seal all roads; the only available option for this is where landowners contribute to the total cost of the works under a Special Charge Scheme.
What is the cost to seal a road?
We are currently reviewing construction costs due to significant increases over the past few years.
How do I get my road sealed?
| Step 1 |
Read through Special Charge Scheme FAQ’s |
| Step 2 |
Call our Infrastructure Delivery team to discuss |
| Step 3 |
Chat with your neighbours seeking support |
| Step 4 |
Submit a petition |
Find out more about how to submit a petition to Council.
Once Council receives a petition from landowners along a road(s) indicating support for Council to undertake a Special Charge Scheme investigation. This petition will be reported to Council and then referred to the Infrastructure Delivery Department.
An investigation will then be undertaken to determine an appropriate standard of construction and associated estimated cost for the proposed project. It will also assess any environmental, maintenance and planning related issues that may arise should the project proceed.
How long might it take to get my road sealed?
It typically takes around 3 to 5 years from planning to construction. The process includes assessment, consultation, design, landowner engagement, reporting and statutory processing. All road sealing projects are subject to funding.
What is the approximate cost per property?
For an urban residential lot, the approximate cost to the property owner is generally around $20,000. This will vary depending on the length of road and density abuttal.
What is a Special Charge Scheme?
A Special Charge Scheme is whereby Council and landowner contribute towards an infrastructure improvement projects such as roads, footpaths and drainage.
To learn more Special Charge Scheme FAQ’s.
How does a special charge scheme get approved
For a scheme to proceed, Council must agree and the majority of property owners must support the proposed works and agree to financial contribution.
Please Note: if the scheme goes ahead, all property owners must contribute even if they are not in favour of the scheme.
Why do I have to pay for my road to be sealed?
The road network in the Yarra Ranges has existed for more than 100 years and Council has partnered with landowners to seal more than 200km (need a revised figure?) of unmade roads as special charge schemes. Council does not currently have the funding available to seal the more than 700km of unsealed roads that still exist.
Through a special charge scheme, Council and property owners contribute to the cost of the works, and owners can make repayments over 10 years through their rates.
Where can I find information about current road sealing projects?
What happened to the $150 million Roads for Community Initiative (RCI) program?
In 2019 the Federal Government announced a nine year, $150 million funding plan for Yarra Ranges Council to seal roads within the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas.
In January 2023, Council received formal notification from the Commonwealth Government’s Minister for Infrastructure, Hon Catherine King MP, of funding cuts to the Roads for the Community Initiative program. The funding for the Roads for the Community Initiative program was from $150 million to $47.7 million.
The construction of all roads included in the original priority list was then no longer possible, as the Federal funding was subsidising about 75% of the total works in the program.
With the level of funding available, Council could only continue to progress works on all road projects that had commenced construction and the contract for works had been awarded.
Why can’t the RCI program continue with Council funding only?
Yarra Ranges Council has significant demands for infrastructure improvements, with over 700 kilometres of unmade roads, limited footpath networks and a high demand for drainage improvements throughout the municipality.
The Federal funding in this program was subsidising about 75% of the total cost of works in the program.
We do not have the capacity to meet the demand for all of these improvements or fully fund these works from rates that are collected.